NIGERIA: FCCPC Shuts Down Ikeja Electric Headquarters Over 2½-Year Violation of Consumer Rights

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Thursday sealed the headquarters of Ikeja Electric (IE) over the company’s continued refusal to comply with regulatory directives, a violation that left a consumer without electricity for more than two and a half years.

In a statement released the Commission, it was reported that Ikeja Electric failed to execute a binding directive issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which required the company to unbundle a Maximum Demand account into twenty non-Maximum Demand accounts representing nineteen residential units and one service point.

According to the FCCPC, the complainant, who had fulfilled all financial and procedural obligations, remained without power supply for over 30 months, rendering the nineteen units unusable.

The Commission said it repeatedly engaged Ikeja Electric before resorting to enforcement.

It stated: “We notified the company of the complaint and the outstanding NERC decision. In April 2025, we issued a directive that set out the steps required and the timelines for compliance. No action was taken. On 2nd October 2025, the Commission issued a Compliance Notice requiring full compliance within seven business days. The company still did not comply.”

The FCCPC explained that the enforcement action was carried out under the powers granted by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA).

The statement read: “Section 17 sets out the Commission’s functions. These include resolving complaints, issuing directives, and taking enforcement action where breaches continue.”

“Section 18 gives the Commission the powers required to ensure compliance with the Act. This includes taking enforcement steps such as sealing premises where an undertaking’s conduct has created or prolonged consumer harm.”

It added that Ikeja Electric’s sustained refusal to carry out a lawful regulatory decision met the threshold for intervention.

The Commission further noted: “Sealing this facility is a proportionate enforcement measure taken only after repeated engagement and several opportunities for voluntary compliance. The seal will remain in place until Ikeja Electric complies fully with the directives issued by both NERC and the FCCPC and provides written evidence of that compliance.”

Reaffirming its commitment to consumer protection, the FCCPC said:

“Consumers are entitled to fair treatment and timely access to essential services. The Commission will continue to enforce the law to protect these rights and to ensure that service providers meet their obligations.”