FCCPC, NCC partner to strengthen consumer protection

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to foster greater regulatory collaboration aimed at strengthening consumer protection and promoting fair competition within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

The MoU was signed on Tuesday at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja.

The signing ceremony was attended by top officials from both organisations, including the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, and Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida.

Both leaders expressed their commitment to ensuring that Nigerian consumers benefit from a more coordinated regulatory framework that enhances market efficiency, consumer welfare, and fair competition.

Bello emphasised the critical importance of inter-agency cooperation to address the complex challenges faced by consumers in the telecommunications industry.

He explained that overlapping regulations between the FCCPC and NCC are essential for filling gaps in oversight, ensuring that no issues slip through the cracks.

He said, “The principle behind overlapping regulations is simple: it serves as a mechanism to prevent issues from slipping through the cracks. This explains the interwoven relationship between the FCCPC and the Nigerian Communications Commission.

“It ensures that if one agency, due to certain limitations, fails to identify or address a consumer issue or regulatory violation, the other agency, potentially with a different perspective, will be able to step in effectively.”

Bello further highlighted the significance of Section 105 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, which mandates such collaborative efforts between sector regulators.

He stated, “By this, we are also making life easier for the generality of consumers in dealing with two government agencies on the same issue at the same time.”

The MoU is expected to streamline operations within the telecommunications sector by minimising regulatory confusion and promoting a one-stop-shop approach for telecom operators and consumers alike.

“The signing of this MoU today symbolises the convergence of two diligent government agencies in compliance with legal requirements to eliminate regulatory gaps in the telecoms industry,” Bello added.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, describing it as a long-awaited and necessary step in advancing the welfare of Nigerian consumers, particularly in the rapidly evolving communications sector.

He explained that the collaboration would enhance transparency, foster competition, and ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders involved.

Maida remarked, “This occasion is one that I would describe as long coming. It is the outcome of healthy engagements and events that have strengthened the resolve of both our institutions to protect the Nigerian consumer, especially in the communications industry.”

The NCC chief further emphasised the importance of the telecoms sector as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic and social development, underscoring the need for effective regulation that ensures both consumer protection and fair competition.

“In an era of rapid technological advancements, the significance of collaboration between regulatory bodies cannot be overstated,” he said.

“The telecommunications sector, in particular, has become the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic and social development. This makes it imperative that we ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders while protecting consumers who depend on reliable and affordable communications services,” he added.

“This MoU is a testament to our shared vision of fostering a transparent, competitive, and consumer-focused telecommunications industry. By aligning our efforts, the NCC and FCCPC aim to avoid regulatory uncertainty and create clarity for the benefit of all stakeholders,” Maida noted.

Bello urged other sector regulators to establish similar frameworks for cooperation, in line with the legal provisions of the FCCPA, to ensure that consumers across all sectors benefit from comprehensive regulatory oversight.

“We hope today’s event will inspire other sector regulators to establish similar collaborative frameworks with the FCCPC, as mandated by Section 105 of the FCCPA. This will ensure that consumers across all sectors enjoy the benefits of coordinated and comprehensive regulatory oversight,” Bello said.

Maida expressed confidence that the MoU would pave the way for a more inclusive, transparent, and sustainable telecommunications sector in Nigeria.

“I look forward to the great strides we will make together in ensuring fair competition and consumer satisfaction in the years to come,” Maida added.