Electricity Act 2023: FCCPC seeks united action for fair competition and consumer rights.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called for stronger collaboration among regulatory agencies and stakeholders to ensure fair competition and safeguard consumer rights in Nigeria’s electricity sector.

Speaking at the Stakeholder Engagement on Consumer Protection and Regulatory Cooperation in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, described the electricity sector as critical to the socio-economic well-being of Nigerians and national development. He said the meeting was convened to strengthen cooperation among institutions responsible for regulating the sector.
Mr. Bello noted that the Electricity Act, 2023, has introduced one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria’s electricity industry by creating opportunities for investment, improving service delivery, and reshaping the country’s regulatory framework. He explained that, for the first time, state governments can establish their own Electricity Regulatory Commissions to regulate intrastate electricity markets according to their economic and social realities.
According to him, the new framework creates room for innovation, faster decision-making, and more responsive regulation, while making collaboration among regulatory institutions even more essential. He stressed that consumers experience the electricity sector as one system and expect effective protection regardless of which regulator has jurisdiction.
The FCCPC boss said stronger partnerships between the Commission, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, and other stakeholders are necessary to ensure better service delivery, consumer protection, and the promotion of the public interest.
He explained that while sector regulators provide technical expertise, the FCCPC contributes its economy-wide experience in competition and consumer protection. According to him, these responsibilities are complementary and should focus on consultation, information sharing, coordinated enforcement, and timely consumer protection.
Mr. Bello said the Commission’s collaboration with NERC, NEMSA, and other stakeholders over the past year has demonstrated that the best outcomes come from cooperation rather than institutional rivalry. He cited the intervention over the planned replacement of obsolete Unistar prepaid meters as an example of successful regulatory cooperation.
He recalled that public concern had grown over fears that consumers would be forced to pay for obsolete meters, experience estimated billing, or suffer interruptions in electricity supply during the replacement exercise. To address the concerns, the FCCPC convened a meeting involving NERC, NEMSA, and electricity distribution companies.
Following the engagement, the replacement exercise was suspended pending compliance with regulatory requirements, a decision endorsed by NERC and NEMSA. Mr. Bello said the eventual resolution, based on NERC’s Order on the Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete End-user Customer Meters, ensured that consumers would not bear the replacement costs, face supply interruptions, or be subjected to estimated billing because of implementation delays.
He stressed that consumers should never be disadvantaged because infrastructure has reached the end of its useful life through no fault of their own. According to him, preventing consumer harm remains one of the highest objectives of any regulatory system, while disputes that arise should be resolved promptly and fairly.
Mr. Bello maintained that the FCCPC respected NERC’s statutory mandate and technical expertise throughout the process, adding that modern regulatory governance requires institutions to respect one another’s responsibilities, communicate openly, and work together in the interest of consumers.
He further stated that as more State Electricity Regulatory Commissions assume responsibility under the Electricity Act, 2023, closer institutional cooperation would become increasingly important. He said success should be measured by how effectively regulators work together to ensure consumers are treated fairly and regulatory decisions are respected across the country.
The FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman also urged electricity distribution companies and other participants in the electricity value chain to comply with regulatory obligations, resolve complaints transparently, and contribute to building stronger, more competitive, and sustainable electricity markets.
He advised consumers to make use of established complaint resolution mechanisms, engage regulatory institutions responsibly, and fulfil their obligations while exercising their rights.
Mr. Bello expressed hope that cooperation would become the standard approach in implementing the Electricity Act, 2023, adding that stronger institutional relationships would help build a regulatory framework capable of serving Nigeria’s electricity sector for many years.
Speaking on behalf of electricity regulatory agencies, the Assistant Director and Head of Consumer Protection Department at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr. Anthony Essien, commended the FCCPC for organising the stakeholder engagement and reaffirmed NERC’s commitment to collaborating with the Commission in achieving effective regulation of the electricity sector in line with the Electricity Act, 2023.
Also speaking on behalf of State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, the Chairman of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo, pledged the commitment of state regulators to partner with the FCCPC in improving service delivery to electricity consumers. He also called for additional measures to reposition Nigeria’s electricity sector and support national economic development.