The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has commended the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) for introducing consumer-focused reforms aimed at ending estimated billing in the Lagos electricity market.
The commendation was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the FCCPC Director of Public Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu.
According to the statement, the commission welcomed LASERC’s position in the 2025 Lagos Electricity Market Report, which supports the enforcement of existing legal provisions regarding electricity supply without meters and the phased rollout of universal smart metering across Lagos State.
LASERC is currently implementing a broad reform agenda targeted at strengthening consumer protection and improving efficiency within the electricity market.
The reforms include phased enforcement of compulsory metering from 2026, feeder-by-feeder deployment of universal smart meters, stricter monitoring of distribution companies, improved complaint resolution standards, and sanctions against non-compliant operators.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, described the initiative as an important step towards improving billing transparency and restoring consumer 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,” Bello said.
He stressed the need to shield consumers from unfair or unverifiable billing practices, especially where 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 state electricity regulators and subnational governments in Nigeria to adopt similar reforms aimed at speeding up metering, improving oversight, and reducing disputes associated with estimated billing.
“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,” he stated.
He further called on electricity distribution companies and other market participants to comply fully with metering initiatives, consumer protection obligations, and service improvement measures introduced by regulators.
The FCCPC also referred to findings contained in the LASERC report concerning service delivery gaps, complaint resolution performance, and electricity supply challenges in Lagos State.
According to the commission, the findings highlight the need for stronger consumer protection policies, sustained investment in infrastructure, and continuous improvement in electricity service delivery.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, fair market practices, and improved service standards across Nigeria’s electricity sector through ongoing collaboration with regulators and industry stakeholders.
