The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called for stronger collaboration and harmonised regulatory frameworks among electricity sector regulators as more states establish and operate their own electricity markets under the Electricity Act, 2023.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, made the call during a stakeholder engagement on Consumer Protection and Regulatory Cooperation in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting brought together officials from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) to discuss regulatory coordination and consumer protection in Nigeria’s evolving electricity market.
Bello noted that the implementation of the Electricity Act, 2023 has transformed Nigeria’s electricity regulatory landscape by empowering states to establish their own electricity regulatory commissions and oversee intrastate electricity markets.
He said the changing structure makes closer cooperation among regulators essential to ensure consistent consumer protection and regulatory efficiency.
“Sector regulators bring deep technical expertise, while the FCCPC brings economy-wide experience in consumer protection and competition. Within the electricity sector, NERC provides sector-specific regulation, NEMSA enforces technical standards, the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions undertake intrastate regulation and the FCCPC contributes its cross-sector consumer protection mandate,” Bello said.
According to him, effective regulatory governance depends on regular consultation, information sharing and mutual support among regulators to ensure electricity consumers receive timely and effective protection.
Also speaking at the event, Anthony Essien, Assistant Director and Head of Consumer Protection Department at NERC, stressed the importance of regulatory convergence as Nigeria transitions to a more decentralised electricity market.
Essien said that while state electricity markets would bring regulation closer to consumers, inconsistent standards across different states could discourage investment and create uncertainty for market participants.
He added that harmonized regulatory approaches would strengthen the mandates of electricity regulators and provide a coordinated framework for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s federal, state and regional electricity markets.