The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to eliminate regulatory gaps in the telecoms industry.
At the signing of the MoU in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, stated that the journey to this milestone has been both challenging and rewarding, as the partnership will benefit both operators and consumers.
The Vice Chairman noted that the principle behind overlapping regulations is simply serving as a mechanism to prevent issues from slipping through the cracks.
He added that by design, regulations are often interwoven and overlapping.
His words: “This explains the interwoven relationship between the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“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.
“This highlights the importance of Section 105 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which explicitly provides for cooperation and collaboration between the FCCPC and sector regulators.
“This synergy is critical to ensuring comprehensive oversight and consumer protection without regulatory conflicts or duplications”.
He applauded the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman , Dr. Aminu Maida, for the ‘success of the MoU’, stating that it is an achievement of a milestone.
Bello said: “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.
“This will foster harmonious collaboration between our organisations, streamline operations for telecoms operators through a one-stop-shop approach in many instances, and ensure robust consumer protection, fair competition, and the eradication of exploitative practices”.
The FCCPC boss said it is entirely consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of fostering economic growth through regulatory collaboration, enhanced market efficiency, and prioritising consumer welfare.
He said given the importance of this legal requirement, today’s event should inspire other sector regulators to establish similar collaborative frameworks with the FCCPC, as mandated by Section 105 of the FCCPA.
This, he stated, will ensure that consumers across all sectors enjoy the benefits of coordinated and comprehensive regulatory oversight.
ALSO READ:
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Maida, said this is the outcome of healthy engagements and events that have strengthened the resolve of both institutions to protect the Nigerian consumer, especially in the communications industry.
He noted that the two regulatory institutions are committed to advancing the welfare of the Nigerian people through fair competition and robust consumer protection frameworks, adding that in an era of rapid technological advancements, the significance of collaboration between regulatory bodies cannot be overstated.
“The telecoms 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,” Maida said.
He stated that this MoU is a testament to the shared vision of fostering a transparent, competitive, and consumer-focused telecommunications industry, which is by aligning the efforts of NCC and FCCPC to avoid regulatory uncertainty and create clarity for the benefit of all stakeholders in the communications sector.
Maida added that the MoU is also in furtherance of both commissions’ joint responsibility to ensure the realization of the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business objectives.
The Nation
