Designed to enhance consumer protection and promote fair competition in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster greater collaboration between the two regulatory bodies.
The agreement, formalized at the FCCPC’s headquarters in Abuja, brought together top officials from both organizations, including FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, and NCC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida.
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The Need for Inter-Agency Cooperation
Bello highlighted the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in addressing the complex challenges faced by telecommunications consumers. “The principle behind overlapping regulations is simple: it serves as a mechanism to prevent issues from slipping through the cracks,” Bello explained. “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.”
Bello also referenced Section 105 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018, which mandates collaboration between sector regulators. He stressed that the MoU will simplify processes for consumers and telecom operators alike by minimizing regulatory confusion.
“The signing of this MoU today symbolizes the convergence of two diligent government agencies in compliance with legal requirements to eliminate regulatory gaps in the telecoms industry,” Bello added.
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Telecom Fosters Trust
Maida emphasized the telecom industry’s notable role in Nigeria’s economic and social development, noting that effective regulation is essential to maintaining fair competition and consumer trust. “In an era of rapid technological advancements, the significance of collaboration between regulatory bodies cannot be overstated,” Maida said. “The telecommunications 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 added that the MoU is “a testament to our shared vision of fostering a transparent, competitive, and consumer-focused telecommunications industry. By aligning our efforts, the NCC and FCCPC aim to avoid regulatory uncertainty and create clarity for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
Bello used the occasion to call on other sector regulators to establish similar cooperative frameworks with the FCCPC, as mandated by the FCCPA. He underscored the importance of such partnerships in ensuring that consumers across all sectors benefit from comprehensive regulatory oversight.
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