NCC, FCCPC Sign Pact To Protect Telecom Consumers
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), marking a strategic step toward enhancing the regulatory efforts aimed at protecting telecom consumers in Nigeria.
In a statement made during the signing ceremony on Tuesday, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, described the partnership as a key milestone in the collaboration between two pivotal regulatory bodies. He emphasized that the MoU represents a shared commitment to advancing the welfare of Nigerians through fair competition and robust consumer protection frameworks.
“With the rapid technological advancements of our time, it is essential that regulatory bodies work together to ensure consumer protection while promoting a competitive environment. The telecommunications sector, which has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic and social development, demands such collaboration,” Dr. Maida said.
He further noted that the MoU was a clear indication of the aligned vision between the NCC and FCCPC to foster a transparent, competitive, and consumer-focused telecom industry. The partnership is aimed at ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders and safeguarding consumers who rely on dependable and affordable communications services.
“This collaboration will help eliminate regulatory uncertainty, creating clarity for all stakeholders in the sector while furthering the government’s Ease of Doing Business objectives. Our joint effort also ensures that we tackle market abuses, consumer rights violations, and the complexities of the digital economy with a united front and consistent policy implementation,” Dr. Maida explained.
In his address, Dr. Tunji Bello, EVC/CEO of FCCPC, hailed the MoU as a significant step toward eliminating regulatory gaps within the telecommunications sector. He pointed to Section 105 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which explicitly encourages collaboration between the FCCPC and sector regulators.
“This collaboration is critical in ensuring comprehensive oversight without regulatory overlap, providing seamless consumer protection,” Dr. Bello stated. He also underscored the importance of simplifying consumer interactions with government agencies, noting that the MoU will make it easier for consumers to address issues concerning both regulatory bodies simultaneously.
The partnership between the NCC and FCCPC underscores the importance of synergy between regulatory bodies in the increasingly complex telecom industry and will work towards creating a more transparent and efficient market for Nigerian consumers.
