FCCPC urges nationwide rollout as Lagos seeks to end estimated billing

By Progress Godfrey

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has endorsed Lagos State's plan to scrap estimated billing and urged other states to implement comparable reforms throughout Nigeria's electricity sector.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Commission said the move reflects a shift toward greater transparency, better service delivery and stronger consumer protection, with smart metering at the core of the reform.

According to Vanguard, the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) detailed in its 2025 Lagos Electricity Market Report a series of actions to enforce existing laws on supply without meters and to speed up the deployment of universal smart meters. The reforms form part of a wider effort to improve market performance.

The programme mandates compulsory metering from 2026, a feeder‑by‑feeder rollout of smart meters, tighter supervision of distribution companies, enhanced standards for complaint resolution and penalties for operators that fail to comply.

Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, described the initiative as a vital step in rebuilding confidence in the power sector.

“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,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of protecting consumers from unfair billing practices, especially in situations where consumption cannot be measured accurately.

“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 added.

Bello urged state regulators and sub‑national governments to adopt Lagos’ strategy in order to speed up metering and reinforce oversight of service delivery.

He noted that stronger complaint‑handling mechanisms and clearly defined service standards are crucial for fostering consumer confidence and improving sector performance.

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