The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, has called for stronger collaboration among regulators to improve consumer protection in Nigeria’s electricity sector. Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Abuja, he welcomed officials of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA, and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, describing cooperation as essential to delivering effective consumer protection.

Mr. Bello said the Electricity Act, 2023, has transformed Nigeria’s electricity regulatory framework by empowering states to establish their own electricity regulatory commissions. He noted that while the reform encourages innovation and faster decision-making, it also makes closer cooperation among regulators necessary because consumers expect seamless protection regardless of institutional jurisdictions.

According to him, each regulatory body has distinct but complementary responsibilities; NERC provides sector-specific regulation, NEMSA enforces technical standards, State Electricity Regulatory Commissions oversee intrastate markets, while the FCCPC safeguards consumer rights across all sectors. He stressed that regular consultation, information sharing and coordinated action are critical to ensuring effective consumer protection.

The FCCPC boss said collaboration has already produced positive results. He cited the Commission’s intervention in the planned replacement of obsolete Unistar prepaid meters after consumers raised concerns about possible costs, estimated billing and service disruptions. Following discussions involving the FCCPC, NERC, NEMSA and electricity distribution companies, the exercise was suspended until regulatory requirements were met, ensuring consumers would not bear replacement costs or suffer power interruptions.

Mr. Bello emphasised that consumer protection should focus not only on resolving complaints but also on preventing disputes before they arise. He said the meter replacement intervention demonstrated respect for NERC’s statutory mandate while highlighting the value of cooperation over institutional rivalry in achieving better outcomes for consumers.

He urged regulators, electricity distribution companies and other industry stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, comply with regulatory obligations and resolve complaints transparently. He also encouraged consumers to use established complaint resolution channels responsibly while fulfilling their obligations within the electricity market.

Mr. Bello further expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among regulatory institutions would strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electricity sector and improve service delivery. He thanked NERC, NEMSA and the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions for their commitment to collaborative regulation and expressed optimism that the partnership would help build a more accountable, responsive and consumer-centered electricity sector for all Nigerians.