FCCPC Backs Lagos Push to End Estimated Electricity Billing, Endorses LASERC Reforms

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) has expressed support for recent reforms introduced by the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission) aimed at eliminating estimated billing and strengthening consumer protection in Lagos State’s electricity market.

The endorsement was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, following LASERC’s policy updates outlined in its 2025 Lagos Electricity Market Report.

According to the Commission, the reforms—particularly the enforcement against electricity supply without meters and the planned phased rollout of smart meters across Lagos—represent a significant step toward improving transparency and restoring consumer confidence in electricity billing.

The report also highlighted LASERC’s broader reform agenda, which includes compulsory metering beginning in 2026, feeder-by-feeder smart meter deployment, tighter supervision of distribution companies, strengthened complaint resolution mechanisms, and stricter penalties for non-compliant operators.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, described estimated billing as one of the most persistent sources of complaints from electricity consumers nationwide.

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

He stressed that consumers must not be subjected to arbitrary or unverifiable charges, especially in situations where actual electricity usage 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 added.

Bello also urged other states implementing electricity market reforms to replicate Lagos’ approach by prioritising transparent metering systems, stronger regulatory oversight, and more efficient complaint resolution structures.

He noted that Lagos has taken a leading role in addressing longstanding challenges in the sector, calling on other subnational electricity regulators to adopt similar consumer-focused reforms.

The FCCPC further advised electricity distribution companies and other operators to fully cooperate with ongoing metering programmes and comply with service quality standards set by regulators.

It also referenced findings from the LASERC report, which identified gaps in service delivery, weak complaint response systems, and ongoing challenges affecting electricity consumers across Lagos.

According to the Commission, these issues reinforce the need for stronger consumer safeguards, sustained investment in infrastructure, and continuous improvement in service delivery across the power sector.

The FCCPC reaffirmed its commitment to working with electricity regulators and other stakeholders to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability within Nigeria’s electricity market.