NCC and FCCPC Unite for Consumer Protection, by Zekeri Idakwo Laruba
The consumer is often regarded as the king in the world of business, production, and consumption, as no product or service holds value without consumer demand. However, just as businesses rely on consumers, consumers equally depend on organizations to provide essential goods and services to enhance their living standards. This interdependence and symbiotic relationship underscore the need for regulatory frameworks that ensure a fair balance between both parties.
One such regulatory body is the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Established by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which was signed into law by former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) on July 8, 2003, after being passed by both houses of the National Assembly, the NCC is empowered to effectively carry out its oversight functions and other legitimate activities.
A cardinal objective of the NCC is to protect the rights and interests of both service providers and consumers of telecommunications services in Nigeria. Additionally, the NCC is responsible for establishing a regulatory framework for the Nigerian communications industry, ensuring the creation of an effective, impartial, and independent statutory authority.
It is no surprise, therefore, that when telecom operators recently requested a 100% price adjustment, the NCC intervened to tone down the increase. Instead, operators were granted approval to adjust tariffs by 50% to align with rising economic challenges and escalating operational costs that threaten their sustainability and survival nationwide. This decision reflects the NCC’s role in ensuring a balanced outcome, where there are no absolute winners or losers—a role akin to a father mediating between his children.
According to the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), “This occasion is one that I will describe as long overdue. It is the outcome of a healthy engagement, an event that has strengthened the resolve of both our institutions to protect Nigerian consumers, especially in the communications industry.”
He added, “In an era of rapid technological advancement, the significance of collaboration between regulatory bodies cannot be overstated. The telecommunications sector, in particular, has become the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic and social development. This makes it imperative to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders while protecting consumers who depend on reliable and affordable communication services. This MoU is a testament to our shared vision of fostering a transparent, competitive, and consumer-focused telecom industry.”
“By aligning our efforts, the NCC and the FCCPC aim to avoid regulatory uncertainty and create clarity for the benefit of all stakeholders in the communications sector. This is in furtherance of their joint responsibilities to ensure the realization of the federal government’s ease-of-doing-business objectives.”
“The challenges we face today, whether related to market abuses, consumer rights violations, or the complexity of the digital economy, demand a united front and a consistent approach to policy implementation. This MoU will ensure that our respective mandates are harmonized to achieve maximum impact.”
While the importance of a level playing field in the telecom sector cannot be overemphasized, consumer interests also require protection regarding the quality and quantity of goods and services. This is why, alongside other consumer protection agencies such as the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), the FCCPC found it necessary to sign the MoU with the NCC to ensure that both interests are safeguarded.
The collaboration between the FCCPC and the NCC marks a significant step toward strengthening consumer rights, ensuring fair competition, and closing regulatory gaps within Nigeria’s telecom sector. The MoU between these agencies is a strategic move to enhance service delivery and prevent exploitative practices.
The telecom industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Nigeria, serving millions of consumers who rely on voice, data, and digital services daily. However, challenges such as poor service quality, unfair billing practices, and monopolistic tendencies require a unified regulatory approach. The FCCPC, as the primary consumer protection agency, and the NCC, as the telecom industry regulator, share a common goal of safeguarding consumer interests. Their collaboration ensures that regulatory efforts are not fragmented but rather complement each other to enforce policies that benefit consumers and promote market fairness.
One of the key aspects of the MoU is its role in enhancing consumer protection and ensuring fair competition. Telecom consumers often face issues such as hidden charges, unsolicited services, and poor network quality. By working together, the FCCPC and NCC can jointly enforce policies that hold service providers accountable for their commitments. The agreement also promotes fair competition among telecom operators by preventing anti-competitive behaviors such as price-fixing or monopolistic practices that could disadvantage consumers. With this MoU, consumers are more likely to enjoy better services, transparent pricing, and effective redress mechanisms in case of disputes.
Regulatory conflicts and overlaps have historically been a challenge in Nigeria’s telecom industry, sometimes leading to inefficiencies and delays in enforcement actions. This agreement helps to define the specific roles of each agency, ensuring that responsibilities are clearly allocated. The NCC, under Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida, remains responsible for industry regulations and technical standards, while the FCCPC focuses on consumer rights and fair market practices. By eliminating ambiguity, this partnership reduces bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhances regulatory efficiency, allowing for a more seamless and coordinated approach to oversight.
Both telecom operators and consumers stand to benefit from this regulatory framework. For service providers, the MoU creates a clearer regulatory landscape, reducing the risks of conflicting directives from different agencies. It also fosters a level playing field, encouraging fair competition and innovation within the sector.
Consumers, on the other hand, gain stronger protection mechanisms, better service quality, and an improved complaints resolution system. With both regulatory bodies working together, telecom users can expect more accountability from service providers and quicker interventions in cases of consumer rights violations.
Looking ahead, this collaboration sets a strong precedent for future regulatory partnerships in Nigeria. As the telecom industry continues to evolve with emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and digital financial services, new challenges will arise. A unified regulatory approach will be crucial in ensuring that consumer rights remain protected while fostering innovation and investment in the sector. The MoU between the FCCPC and NCC paves the way for a more consumer-centric telecom industry, ultimately contributing to economic growth and digital inclusion in Nigeria.
At this juncture, I urge civil society groups, especially the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to reconsider their planned boycott and nationwide protest. Instead, they should support the NCC-FCCPC MoU in ensuring that consumers are not unduly exploited or shortchanged. The NLC must also recognize that telecom operations are private enterprises driven by profit and revenue. Any organization that fails to maximize profits cannot survive in today’s competitive business environment.
This partnership represents a futuristic approach to telecom regulation, reinforcing the commitment of both agencies to protect consumer interests while ensuring a competitive and fair market environment.
Zekeri Idakwo Laruba is the Assistant Editor with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR). He can be reached via [email protected].