Consumer Protection: NCC, FCCPC sign MoU

Executive Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida

By Williams Ago, Gombe 

The Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) aimed at protecting telecom consumers.

Executive Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, stated at the ceremony that aligning NCC's efforts with the FCCPC would ensure the avoidance of regulatory uncertainty and create clarity for the benefit of all stakeholders in the communications sector and in furtherance of their joint responsibility to ensure the realization of the federal government’s ease of doing business objectives.

According to him, "Our partnership also highlights the importance of synergy in regulatory oversight. The challenges we face today—whether they relate to market abuses, consumer rights violations, or the complexities of a digital economy—demand a united front and a consistent approach to policy implementation."

He assured that MoU will ensure that their respective mandates are harmonized to achieve maximum impact.

Dr. Maida commended the FCCPC for their unwavering commitment to protecting consumers and promoting healthy competition across sectors, saying, "Your dedication complements our own mission at the NCC, and I am confident that this collaboration will yield significant benefits for the Nigerian people."

He acknowledged the hard work of the teams from both the NCC and FCCPC for working tirelessly in bringing the partnership to fruition. 

"Your diligence has laid the groundwork for a collaboration that will not only address present challenges but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow,” he pointed out.

"As we execute this MoU today, I call on all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of collaboration that this partnership represents. Together, we can achieve the goals of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector and beyond," Dr Maida assured.

On his part, Mr. Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, FCCPC, described the operations of the two bodies as often interwoven and overlapping, adding that it serves as a mechanism to prevent issues from slipping through the cracks.

He explained that the partnership between the two agencies will ensure 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.

According to him, "Section 105 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, 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.

"By this, 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.

"The signing of this MoU today symbolises the convergence of two diligent government agencies in compliance with legal requirements to eliminate regulatory gaps in the telecoms industry," he explained further.

He assured that the partnership will benefit both operators and consumers, fostering harmonious collaboration between the two organisations as well as streamlining operations for telecoms operators through a one-stop-shop approach in many instances. 

It will also ensure robust consumer protection, fair competition, and the eradication of exploitative practices.
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