FCCPC Supports Lagos’ Action Against Estimated Billing

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has endorsed new reforms by the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) aimed at ending estimated billing and expanding smart metering across Lagos.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the FCCPC praised LASERC’s 2025 Lagos Electricity Market Report, which supports stricter enforcement of rules against supplying electricity to unmetered customers and outlines a phased rollout of universal smart meters across the state.

The Lagos regulator is implementing a broad reform agenda that includes compulsory metering from 2026, feeder-by-feeder deployment of smart meters, stronger oversight of electricity distribution companies, improved complaint resolution standards and sanctions for operators that fail to comply with regulations.

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tunji Bello described the initiative as a major step toward improving billing transparency and restoring consumer confidence in Nigeria’s electricity market.

“Estimated billing remains one of the leading sources of consumer complaints within Nigeria’s power sector,” Bello said. “Measures that accelerate metering and improve billing transparency are important to consumer protection and overall market accountability.”

He said consumers should not be subjected to unfair or unverifiable charges when electricity usage cannot be accurately measured.

According to Bello, effective metering promotes fairness, reduces billing disputes, strengthens accountability and gives consumers greater trust in the electricity system.

The FCCPC also called on other state electricity regulators and subnational governments to adopt similar reforms as more states assume greater control over their electricity markets.

Bello said states should prioritise transparent metering systems, robust complaint resolution mechanisms and clearly defined service standards to improve consumer protection and service delivery.

The commission urged electricity distribution companies and other market participants to cooperate fully with metering initiatives and comply with consumer protection obligations introduced by regulators.

FCCPC said findings in LASERC’s report, including service delivery gaps and complaint resolution challenges, underscore the need for stronger consumer safeguards, continued infrastructure investment and better performance across the electricity sector.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with regulators and stakeholders to promote fair market practices, transparency and improved service standards throughout Nigeria’s power industry.

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