Consumer Education as Means of Overcoming Consumer Challenges in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

This study investigated consumer education as a means of overcoming consumer challenges in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The study used a survey research design. The population for this study comprised all the homemakers residing in Obio/Akpor. A systematic random sampling technique was used to obtain a representative sample of the 240 respondents used for the study. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Two hundred and forty (240) copies of the questionnaire were administered to respondents, and all the copies were returned. The mean and standard deviation were used to answer all research questions. The major findings include that consumers are faced with numerous challenges and that consumer education will help them become informed consumers so as to make the right choice in acquiring goods and services, and it will also safeguard the consumers against the malpractices of manufacturers and traders. The following recommendations were made based on the results of the findings: Curriculum planners should include consumer education in the school curriculum at all levels, and it should be made one of the core subjects/courses to enable consumers to become aware of consumer issues, Seminars and symposiums should be organized among groups, clubs, associations, organizations, and churches, to enlighten their members on consumer issues.