This policy explains how ConsumersNG chooses, researches, checks and corrects what we publish, so you can judge for yourself how far to trust it.
What we publish
ConsumersNG publishes research briefs. A brief brings together what several reputable sources are reporting on an issue that affects Nigerian consumers, compares them, sets out what the responsible authorities have said, and explains what it means for you and what you can do. We aim to be the clearest, most balanced account of a story, not the fastest.
We are consumer researchers, not financial advisers, lawyers or medical professionals. The practical steps in our briefs are general information to help you understand an issue and ask the right questions. They are not professional advice, and they do not replace guidance from the relevant regulator or a qualified professional about your own situation. See our Disclaimer.
Our sources
We draw only on sources with a public track record and someone accountable for what they publish:
- Regulators and official bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
- Established news organisations, such as Premium Times, Punch, Channels TV, ThisDay, Vanguard, BusinessDay, Daily Trust, The Guardian Nigeria, TheCable, Nairametrics, TechCabal and others with editorial standards and named editors.
- Recognised fact-checkers: Dubawa, Africa Check and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).
We do not base a brief on social media posts, anonymous blogs, forwarded messages or a single unconfirmed report. A company’s own statement is reported as that company’s position, not as established fact.
How we choose stories
- Consumer impact first. We cover stories that change what people pay, buy or use, or how they are protected. General news with only a weak link to consumers is left out.
- Confirmed by more than one source. We write a brief only when at least two independent, established outlets are reporting a story, or when a regulator or official body has made a public statement.
- Ranked by evidence. Stories backed by more independent sources rank higher, and statements from regulators carry the most weight.
- No repeats. We return to a story we have already covered only when something significant has changed, such as a new figure, an official decision or a deadline, and we link the update to our earlier brief.
How a brief is researched and written
- Full articles, not headlines. Research is based on reading the source articles and official statements in full.
- Every claim is sourced. Each fact comes from a named source, with a link, and says who said it and when.
- Figures are explained and checked. Numbers are put in context (what they mean for a household or a business), naira amounts are written with the ₦ sign, and figures in our charts are checked against the sources before they are used.
- Plain English. We spell out abbreviations the first time they appear, avoid jargon, and keep paragraphs short.
- Practical help. Every brief ends with what the news means for you and steps you can take.
Disagreement and uncertainty
When sources disagree, we show it. Each brief has a section on where sources agree and where they differ, with the competing positions side by side. Claims that have not been independently confirmed are presented as claims, attributed to the person or organisation making them. Questions that no source has answered are listed under “Still unclear”, so you know the limits of what is known.
Opinion
Our opinion appears only in the section headed “ConsumersNG’s view”, which is clearly labelled and carries a note that it is opinion. Everything else in a brief is reporting. We do not mix the two.
Headlines and images
Headlines say what is happening and what it means for the reader. We do not use clickbait, exaggerate risks, or promise what the brief does not deliver.
Images are licensed stock photographs, illustrations created with artificial intelligence, or graphics we make from the figures in the brief. AI-created illustrations show everyday scenes to illustrate a topic. They never show real, identifiable people and are never presented as photographs of actual events. Company logos appear only to identify the company a story is about. We do not use news organisations’ photographs without permission.
How we use artificial intelligence
We use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to monitor our sources, gather the reporting on a story and prepare a first draft that follows the structure and standards above. Drafts are automatically checked against our writing standards, and any problems found are flagged.
AI does not decide what we publish. Nothing is published automatically: an editor reviews every brief, checks it against its sources and approves it before it goes live. Our editors are responsible for everything we publish, whatever tools helped prepare it.
Corrections and updates
- Corrections. If we get a fact wrong, we fix it promptly and add a dated note at the end of the brief saying what was changed. We do not quietly rewrite errors.
- Updates. When a story develops, we either add a dated update to the brief or publish a follow-up that links back to it.
- Reporting an error. Use our Contact page or email support@consumersng.com, telling us the brief and what you believe is wrong. We aim to respond within two working days.
Right of reply
Companies, officials and others named in a brief can send us a response. Where it adds relevant facts or a position not already reflected, we will add it to the brief and say when it was added.
Independence and funding
- ConsumersNG is funded by its publisher and, in future, by advertising.
- Advertisers have no say over what we cover or what we write. We do not accept payment, gifts or favours in exchange for coverage.
- Sponsored content, if we ever publish it, will be clearly labelled as sponsored and kept separate from our briefs.
- If a brief involves our publisher, Daytasolutions Technologies Ltd, or any business connected to it, we will say so in the brief.
Contact
ConsumersNG is published by Daytasolutions Technologies Ltd (RC 9776679), a company registered in Nigeria. Questions about this policy: support@consumersng.com.