FCCPC Urges Nigerian Electricity Regulators to Harmonize Frameworks

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) called for harmonized regulatory frameworks and stronger collaboration between federal and state electricity regulators during a stakeholder engagement in Abuja on July 31, 2026. Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello stated that the Electricity Act 2023, which permits states to create independent electricity regulatory commissions, requires a unified approach to prevent a fragmented regulatory landscape and ensure consistent consumer protection.

Bello argued that institutional rivalry must be replaced by cooperation and that success should be measured by the number of complaints prevented rather than just those resolved. To illustrate the benefits of coordination, he cited a 2024 intervention involving the FCCPC, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) that stopped consumers from being charged for the replacement of obsolete Unistar prepaid meters.

Representatives from NERC and the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission supported the collaborative framework. Officials noted that inconsistent standards across the 16 states that have already established regulatory commissions could create compliance challenges for investors. The participating agencies agreed that regulatory convergence is essential for fostering coordinated efforts across the emerging different electricity markets in Nigeria.