The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called for sustained capacity building for journalists reporting competition and consumer protection issues, describing the specialised beat as relatively new in Nigeria. According to a report by Punch, the commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, made the……
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called for sustained capacity building for journalists reporting competition and consumer protection issues, describing the specialised beat as relatively new in Nigeria.
According to a report by Punch, the commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, made the call when he received executive members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja.
Bello, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner for Operations, Louis Odion, acknowledged the importance of equipping journalists with the expertise needed to accurately report developments in competition and consumer protection.
He said the commission would consider CICAN’s request for training and further engagement with its members.
“Competition reporting is indeed new in our jurisdiction,” he said, adding that the association’s request would receive “due consideration and be followed up appropriately.”
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Bello said the relative novelty of competition law and consumer protection regulation in Nigeria had made stakeholder education an important part of the FCCPC’s responsibilities.
He disclosed that the commission had recently supported a training programme for judges through the National Judicial Institute to improve their understanding of competition-related matters.
“We recognised that because it is a new terrain, the judges themselves are not familiar with the nuances. So we brought in competition experts,” he said.
The FCCPC chief also acknowledged the contribution of the media to increasing public awareness of the commission and its activities.
According to him, many Nigerians were largely unfamiliar with the FCCPC until recent years, but sustained media coverage had helped to raise the agency’s public profile.
“If FCCC is becoming more known to the public, it is as a result of the kind of publicity you have given us,” Bello said.
“When something happens here, and we issue a statement, it often receives front-page treatment, and we do not take that for granted.”
He further reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting stakeholders within its available resources, noting that the agency finances major aspects of its operations, including litigation, staff welfare and regulatory activities, through internally generated revenue.
Earlier, the Abuja Chairman of CICAN, Gabriel Kuma, said the association remained committed to constructive journalism and stronger engagement with regulatory institutions.
Kuma stressed the importance of maintaining a professional relationship between regulators and the media, anchored on openness, accountability and access to accurate information.
“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. 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.
Meanwhile, CICAN is set to commemorate its 20th anniversary with a national dialogue on the Federal Government’s $1 trillion economy agenda.
The event, scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, will bring together policymakers, regulators, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders.
The dialogue will be held under the theme, “FG’s $1 Trillion Economy: Role of Policy Makers, Stakeholders and Media in Its Actualisation.”
According to the anniversary committee, the event will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the policies, reforms, investments and partnerships needed to accelerate industrialisation, expand trade, attract investment, increase productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s global economic competitiveness.
