The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has called for sustained capacity building for journalists covering competition and consumer protection, describing competition reporting as a relatively new field in Nigeria requiring specialised knowledge.
Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Mr. Tunji Bello, made the call during a meeting with the newly elected executive members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria, CICAN, at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja.
Bello, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner for Operations, Louis Odion, said the commission recognised the importance of strengthening journalists’ understanding of competition law and consumer protection regulation.
“It is true that competition reporting is new in our jurisdiction,” he said, assuring the association that its request for training and further engagement would receive due consideration.
He said the relative novelty of competition law and consumer protection regulation in Nigeria had made stakeholder education a priority for the commission.
Bello disclosed that the FCCPC recently supported a training programme for judges through the National Judicial Institute (NJI), aimed at deepening 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 experts on competition,” he said.
He stressed that the media had a critical role in promoting public understanding of competition and consumer protection issues, while commending commerce and industry journalists for raising the profile of the commission through sustained coverage.
“If FCCPC is becoming more known to the public, it is as a result of the kind of publicity you have given us,” Bello said.
He added that the commission remained committed to supporting stakeholders within the limits of its resources, noting that it funds several aspects of its operations, including litigation, staff welfare and regulatory activities, from internally generated revenue.
Earlier, CICAN Abuja Chairman, Gabriel Kuma, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to constructive journalism and stronger engagement with regulatory institutions.
Kuma said the association would continue to report on regulatory activities in ways that inform the public while holding institutions accountable.
“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 FCCPC to deepen engagement with the media and organised private sector through public education, continuous capacity building, faster communication on major regulatory interventions and regular dialogue with businesses and consumers.
Kuma assured the commission that CICAN would support efforts to promote awareness of consumer rights, regulatory developments and fair competition practices across the country.
