FCCPC Stops Planned Meter Replacement That Could Have Burdened Electricity Consumers
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has halted a planned replacement of obsolete prepaid electricity meters after concerns that consumers could have been forced to pay for infrastructure problems they were not responsible for.
The Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said Nigerians should not bear the cost of replacing outdated meters or be subjected to estimated billing during the process.
Bello disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement on consumer protection and regulatory cooperation in Nigeria’s electricity sector held in Abuja.
According to him, the FCCPC intervened after public concerns emerged over the proposed replacement of obsolete Unistar prepaid meters being used by customers of one of the electricity distribution companies.
He explained that the intervention, carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), was aimed at preventing consumers from facing additional financial burdens, estimated billing or possible disruption of electricity supply.
Bello noted that while replacing old meters is normally part of routine technical improvements, many consumers were worried they might be required to pay for new meters despite not being responsible for the equipment becoming outdated.
He added that customers were also concerned that delays in the replacement programme could result in estimated billing or interruptions in power supply.
“Those concerns were understandable. At their core were issues of fairness, affordability, continuity of supply and public confidence in the institutions responsible for consumer protection,” Bello said.
He said the FCCPC immediately brought together NERC, NEMSA and electricity distribution companies to ensure that the exercise followed regulatory requirements and protected consumers.
Following the discussions, the replacement programme was suspended pending compliance with relevant regulations.
Bello said the final resolution was guided by NERC’s order on the Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete End-user Customer Meters, which guarantees that consumers would not pay for replacing obsolete meters, would not experience power interruptions during the process and would not be placed on estimated billing because of implementation delays.
“Consumers should never be disadvantaged because infrastructure has reached the end of its useful life through no fault of their own,” he said.
The FCCPC boss said the intervention showed the importance of cooperation among regulatory agencies, stressing that effective consumer protection depends on institutions working together rather than competing for authority.
He argued that the success of regulators should not only be measured by the number of complaints resolved but also by their ability to prevent disputes before they occur.
“Consumer protection is often viewed only through the lens of resolving disputes after they arise. In reality, its greatest value lies in preventing problems before they occur, identifying risks early and strengthening public confidence,” Bello stated.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration following the implementation of the Electricity Act, 2023, which allows states to establish their own electricity regulatory commissions.
According to him, electricity consumers do not focus on which agency has jurisdiction when they face poor supply or billing issues; they simply expect protection and solutions.
“When supply is interrupted or a bill appears incorrect, they are not concerned about which regulator has jurisdiction. They simply expect protection. Ensuring that our institutions work seamlessly together is our responsibility, not theirs,” he said.
Bello stressed that the FCCPC respected NERC’s legal authority throughout the meter replacement matter and only acted to strengthen existing regulatory structures.
“Strong regulation is not built on institutional rivalry. It is built on cooperation, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the public interest,” he added.
He urged electricity distribution companies and other operators to comply with regulations, address consumer complaints quickly and maintain transparency to improve confidence in Nigeria’s electricity market.
Bello said all electricity consumers, regardless of their location in Nigeria, should have the assurance that they will be treated fairly, their complaints handled properly and their rights protected.
