By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called for increased training and professional development for journalists covering competition and consumer protection, saying the specialised beat is still relatively new in Nigeria.
The FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, made the call when the newly elected executive members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) visited the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Bello, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner for Operations, Louis Odion, said the commission was prepared to consider the association’s request for capacity-building programmes aimed at improving journalists’ understanding of competition-related 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.
He explained that the relatively recent development of competition law and consumer protection regulation in Nigeria had created the need for continuous sensitisation of stakeholders involved in the sector.
According to him, the FCCPC had also identified the judiciary as requiring greater exposure to competition law and recently supported a training programme for judges through the National Judicial Institute.
“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 further highlighted the importance of the media in educating Nigerians about competition, consumer rights and the activities of the commission.
He said sustained media coverage had contributed significantly to increased public awareness of the FCCPC, noting that the agency was not widely known among Nigerians when it began its activities.
“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 chief executive also said the commission would continue to collaborate with stakeholders within the limits of available resources.
He explained that the commission relied substantially on internally generated revenue to finance key aspects of its operations, including litigation, staff welfare and regulatory activities.
Bello thanked CICAN for its partnership with the commission and expressed the FCCPC’s readiness to sustain the relationship in the interest of stronger consumer protection and competition advocacy.
He also appreciated the association for planning to honour him with an award, describing the recognition as significant. He assured the journalists of his intention to attend the event unless an overriding official engagement prevented him from doing so.
Earlier, the Chairman of CICAN’s Abuja chapter, Gabriel Kuma, said the association would continue to promote responsible journalism while maintaining constructive engagement with regulatory agencies.
Kuma said effective regulation required a productive relationship between institutions and the media, particularly one founded on openness and access to credible 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,” he said.
He called on the FCCPC to expand its engagement with the media, organised private sector and other stakeholders to improve public understanding of competition and consumer protection.
Kuma said regular dialogue, improved public education, continuous capacity building and timely communication on major regulatory actions would help 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.
He assured the commission that CICAN would continue to support efforts aimed at educating Nigerians on consumer rights, regulatory developments and fair competition.
“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.
