The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has emphasised the need for sustained capacity building in competition reporting, describing the beat as a relatively new area in Nigeria that requires specialised knowledge among journalists, regulators and other stakeholders.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, made the remarks while hosting the newly elected executive members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by the Executive Commissioner for Operations, Louis Odion, Bello said the commission recognised the importance of strengthening the capacity of journalists covering competition and consumer protection issues.
“It is true that competition reporting is new in our jurisdiction,” he said, assuring the association that its request for training and engagement would receive due consideration and be followed up appropriately.
According to him, the relative novelty of competition law and consumer protection regulation in Nigeria has made stakeholder education a priority for the commission.
He disclosed that the FCCPC recently supported a training programme for judges through the National Judicial Institute (NJI) to deepen understanding of competition-related matters, noting that members of the judiciary also require exposure to the nuances of the emerging field.
“We recognised that because it is a new terrain, the judges themselves are not familiar with the nuances. So we brought in experts on competition,” he said.
Bello stressed that the media has a critical role in promoting public understanding of competition and consumer protection issues, commending commerce and industry journalists for helping to raise the profile of the commission in recent years.
He noted that many Nigerians were largely unaware of the FCCPC’s existence until recently, attributing growing public awareness of the commission’s activities to sustained media coverage.
“If FCCPC is becoming more known to the public, it is as a result of the kind of publicity you have given us,” he said. “When something happens here and we issue a statement, it often receives front-page treatment, and we do not take that for granted.”
The FCCPC boss also reiterated the commission’s commitment to supporting stakeholders within the limits of its resources, explaining that the agency funds much of its operations, including litigation, staff welfare and regulatory activities, from internally generated revenue.
He thanked the association for its support and assured members of continued collaboration in advancing consumer protection and competition advocacy in Nigeria.
Bello also conveyed his appreciation for an award planned in his honour by CICAN, describing the recognition from the professional body as particularly significant and assuring the association that he would attend the event unless prevented by an overriding official engagement.
Earlier, CICAN Abuja Chairman, Gabriel Kuma, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to constructive journalism and stronger engagement with regulatory institutions, including the FCCPC.
Kuma said CICAN remained committed to reporting that informs the public while holding institutions accountable, adding that a strong regulatory environment thrives on a healthy relationship between regulators and the media.
“We are open to constructive reporting that holds institutions accountable. We believe that a strong regulator should have a strong media relationship, one built on openness, professionalism, mutual respect and access to accurate information,” he said.
He urged the commission to deepen its engagement with key stakeholders, particularly the media and the organised private sector, to enhance public understanding of competition and consumer protection issues.
According to him, greater public education, sustained stakeholder engagement, continuous capacity building, faster communication on major regulatory interventions and regular dialogue with businesses and consumers would further strengthen the commission’s impact.
“CICAN is prepared to play its part in that process. We want a relationship where the FCCPC can communicate its work effectively, while journalists have the knowledge and access required to interrogate and explain those activities professionally.
That, in our view, is the kind of mutual relationship that serves the public interest,” he said.
Kuma assured the commission of the association’s support in promoting awareness of consumer rights, regulatory developments and fair competition practices across the country.
“Where you need the support of the media in educating Nigerians, explaining important regulatory developments or creating greater awareness about consumer rights and fair competition, you can count on CICAN,” he said.
