Vincent Ezenagu
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ( FCCPC) has applauded the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) for consumer-focused reforms aimed at stopping estimated billing within the Lagos electricity market.
In a statement by the director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission welcomed LASERC’s position in the 2025 Lagos Electricity Market Report, supporting the enforcement of existing legal provisions relating to electricity supply without meters, alongside the phased rollout of universal smart metering across Lagos State.
The LASERC is pursuing a broad reform programme to strengthen consumer protection and improve electricity market performance in Lagos. The measures include the phased enforcement of compulsory metering from 2026, the feeder-by-feeder deployment of universal smart meters, tighter oversight of distribution companies, improved complaint-resolution standards, and enforcement action against non-compliant operators.
Ijagwu disclosed that the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Tunji Bello, has described the initiative as an important step toward improving billing transparency and reinforcing consumer confidence in the electricity sector.
Bello said: “Estimated billing remains one of the leading sources of consumer complaints within Nigeria’s power sector. Measures that accelerate metering and improve billing transparency are important to consumer protection and overall market accountability.”
Bello added that consumers should be protected from unfair or unverifiable billing practices, particularly when electricity consumption cannot be accurately measured.
“Effective metering promotes fairness within the electricity market. It supports accurate billing, reduces disputes, improves accountability, and gives consumers greater confidence in the system,” he stated.
Bello also urged other state electricity regulators and sub-national governments to adopt similar consumer-focused reforms to accelerate metering, improve service oversight, and reduce disputes associated with estimated billing.
He explained: “Lagos has taken an important step towards improving consumer protection and accountability within the electricity sector. Other states implementing electricity market reforms should also prioritise transparent metering frameworks, effective complaint resolution systems, and clear service standards that strengthen consumer confidence and support better service delivery across the sector,” he said.
Bello called on electricity distribution companies and other market participants to cooperate fully with metering initiatives, consumer protection obligations, and service quality improvement measures introduced by relevant regulatory authorities.
The FCCPC also noted findings in the LASERC report relating to service delivery gaps, complaint resolution performance, and electricity supply challenges affecting Lagos State. According to the Commission, these findings reinforce the need for stronger consumer safeguards, sustained infrastructure investment, and continued improvements in service delivery.
FCCPC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote fair market practices, transparency, accountability, and improved service standards across Nigeria’s electricity sector through continued engagement with regulators and other relevant stakeholders