FCCPC intensifies effort to protect rights of consumers in electricity sector 

…engages regulators over implementation of 2023 electricity Act

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has intensified efforts to protect the rights of consumers in the Nigerian electricity sector by engaging regulators at the national and state level in a bid to prevent exploitative activities in the course of the implementation of the 2023 Electricity Act.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the meeting, the executive vice chairman of the commission, Mr. Tunji Bello, stated the Electricity Act, 2023, represents one of the most significant reforms of Nigeria’s electricity sector in recent years. 

“Beyond creating new opportunities for investment and improved service delivery, it has fundamentally reshaped our regulatory architecture. For the first time, states may establish their own electricity regulatory commissions and regulate intrastate electricity markets in ways that reflect their individual economic and social realities.

“This creates greater scope for innovation, quicker decision-making, and more responsive regulation. At the same time, it makes cooperation between our institutions more important than ever. The success of this framework will depend not only on the effectiveness of each regulator but also on how well we work together.” 

He explained that consumers experience electricity as one system. “When supply is interrupted or a bill appears incorrect, they are not concerned about which regulator has jurisdiction. They simply expect protection. Ensuring that our institutions work seamlessly together is our responsibility, not theirs.

“Today’s regulatory environment is increasingly specialised. Sector regulators bring deep technical expertise, while the FCCPC brings economy-wide experience in consumer protection and competition. Within the electricity sector, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) provides sector-specific regulation,  the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) enforces technical standards, the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions undertake intrastate regulations, and the FCCPC contributes its cross-sector consumer protection mandate. 

“These responsibilities are different, but they are complementary. Our objective is to consult, exchange information, support one another’s lawful actions, and ensure that consumers receive timely and effective protection. That is the hallmark of mature regulatory governance,” the EVC noted.

Bello explained that “over the past year, the FCCPC has worked closely with NERC, NEMSA and other stakeholders on issues affecting electricity consumers. That experience has consistently shown that the best outcomes come from collaboration, not rivalry; from respecting one another’s mandates, engaging early and coordinating our actions. 

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“Consumer protection is often viewed only through the lens of resolving disputes after they arise. In reality, its greatest value lies in preventing problems before they occur, identifying risks early, resolving uncertainty, and strengthening public confidence before disputes undermine trust. Success should therefore be measured not only by the number of complaints resolved, but also by the number of complaints prevented.”

He said, “This preventive approach informed one of the Commission’s earliest interventions after I assumed office in July 2024. Public concern was growing over the planned replacement of obsolete Unistar prepaid meters used by customers of one of the electricity distribution companies. 

“Replacing obsolete meters is ordinarily a routine technical exercise. However, many consumers feared they would be required to pay for meters that had become obsolete through no fault of their own. Others worried about the possibility of estimated billing or interruptions to electricity supply while the replacement programme was underway. 

“Following deliberations, the replacement exercise was suspended pending compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, a position that was endorsed by both NERC and NEMSA. The outcome demonstrated that consumers benefit most when regulators work together and coordinate their respective powers towards a common objective,” Bello stated.

The EVC noted that building trusted electricity markets is not the responsibility of regulators alone. “Electricity Distribution Companies and every other participant in the electricity value chain also have important roles to play. When market participants comply promptly with regulatory obligations, resolve complaints fairly, and operate transparently, they help build stronger, more competitive, and more sustainable electricity markets.

Responding, the representative of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC),  Anthony Essien, commended the FCCPC for the vision to foster collaboration, which, according to him, will further assist the sector to develop.

On his part, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Chijoke Okonwo, said, “We felt that we were restricted to only related issues that were happening in our state. However, this collaborative arrangement puts us in a position to share ideas, take advantage of what could also come from the Federal, and implement it within our state for the ultimate protection of our citizens. And we feel that whenever we have gaps or challenges, that we could come together to resolve it for the benefit of all sectors,” he stated.

Many representatives of states’ electricity regulatory commissions across the country attended the engagement.