The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has urged stronger cooperation among electricity sector regulators to ensure uniform consumer protection, regulatory certainty and investor confidence as states begin operating their own electricity markets.
The appeal follows the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which allows state governments to establish electricity regulatory commissions and oversee intrastate electricity markets.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on Consumer Protection and Regulatory Cooperation in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector in Abuja, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tunji Bello said the evolving regulatory structure requires closer coordination between the FCCPC, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the newly created State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs).
Bello explained that although each regulator has its own statutory responsibilities, their functions are complementary and should be harmonised to provide effective protection for electricity consumers.
According to him, sector regulators contribute technical expertise, while the FCCPC brings economy-wide experience in consumer protection and competition regulation. He said the goal is to improve consultation, information sharing and support for lawful regulatory actions so that consumers receive timely and effective protection.
He added that consumer protection should go beyond resolving complaints and should also focus on preventing harm, identifying risks early and maintaining public confidence in the electricity market.
Bello cited the FCCPC’s 2024 intervention involving the planned replacement of obsolete Unistar prepaid meters as an example of successful regulatory collaboration. Concerns had emerged that consumers might be forced to pay for replacement meters or face estimated billing and supply disruptions, prompting the commission to engage NERC, NEMSA and electricity distribution companies.
He said the intervention respected NERC’s statutory authority while strengthening, rather than duplicating, the existing regulatory framework.
Also speaking at the event, Anthony Essien, Assistant Director and Head of Consumer Protection at NERC, said regulatory convergence has become increasingly important with the emergence of federal, state and regional electricity markets under the Electricity Act.
Essien warned that while decentralised regulation could bring oversight closer to consumers, differing standards across states could create uncertainty for investors and market operators. He said harmonised regulatory approaches would improve consumer protection, strengthen coordinated oversight and provide a more predictable environment for Nigeria’s evolving electricity sector.
The Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) also supported closer cooperation. Executive Commissioner Dr Nnaemeka Ewelukwa said state regulators would make regulation more accessible to consumers and create a more direct interface between investors and state authorities.
The discussions reflect growing efforts to ensure that Nigeria’s transition to a decentralised electricity market does not result in inconsistent consumer protection standards across different states.
