By Prosper Okoye
The Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has recounted his achievements upon leaving office after seven months.
Dr. Adamu Abdullahi stated that the commission’s legal mandates were fulfilled in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda during his tenure as CEO, from 8 January 2024 to the present.
“The commission actively worked to prevent wrongful practices, protect consumers, and foster a competitive market. Efforts included enforcing the FCCPC Act, reviewing mergers, conducting investigations, and engaging in consumer and business education, among other activities.”
President Tinubu has named Olatunji Bello as the new Chief Executive, but his appointment is yet to be confirmed by the Senate. Dr. Abdullahi took over in an acting capacity after the removal of the pioneer Chief Executive, Mr. Babatunde Irukera.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Dr. Abdullahi dismissed concerns about unqualified appointments and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve.
“It is a federal government agency, and it is the president’s prerogative to appoint whomever he wishes. If the appointment is of Bello, we know he has the leadership qualities needed to advance the commission.”
Dr. Abdullahi also urged Nigerians to support the Dangote refineries in their efforts to improve. He noted that the $200 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC, following a three-year investigation, as well as other oversight activities involving multinational organisations, has bolstered public confidence in the commission’s ability to protect consumers.
While noting that the FCCPC is not a revenue-generating agency, he clarified that the commission does not discriminate in handling complaints, with the majority coming from the electricity sector. He explained that electricity billing would have been worse without the billing cap enforced by the commission.
Dr. Abdullahi mentioned that regulatory efforts are being made in various sectors, including construction, which is notorious for consumer abuses. “To address public concerns about soaring food prices, the FCCPC implemented measures to curb price gouging. We monitored markets, partnered with stakeholders, and enforced pricing transparency. We also took action against issues such as underweight bags of rice, the sale of expired goods, cement price hikes, and substandard iron rods.”
Other areas of intervention included protecting consumers’ rights against exploitation by digital money lenders and addressing high airfares by airlines. Educational programmes were held for traditional leaders and other stakeholders. A review of consumer education to be added to the secondary school curriculum is ongoing.
Dr. Abdullahi noted that the FCCPC has been monitoring mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures to prevent the creation of monopolies, citing the rejection of Shell’s proposed divestment of its offshore activities as an example. “We refused to cave in despite the pressure, considering the opinions of sector regulators and the environmental hazards associated with Shell’s activities over the years.”
Dr. Abdullahi, who will remain a staff member of the commission, said his achievements were made possible due to the dedicated staff, adequate logistics, and the adoption of data analytic techniques and other technologies, which ensured targeted interventions.
“The commission has been working tirelessly to promote competition and protect consumers, aiming to create a vibrant economy that benefits both businesses and Nigerians, ” he added.
