The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a stern warning to inter-city road transport operators across Nigeria. The regulatory body is cautioning against arbitrary and unjustified increases in fares during the ongoing Christmas and New Year travel season.
Consumer Complaints Trigger Regulatory Action
This move by the Commission comes as a direct response to a significant surge in complaints from passengers nationwide. Many travelers have reported sudden and unexplained spikes in transport costs as they seek to reunite with families for the festivities.
Ondaje Ijagwu, the Director of Corporate Affairs for the FCCPC, made the Commission's position known in a statement released on Sunday, December 21, 2025. The FCCPC acknowledges that certain factors like seasonal demand and legitimate operational costs can influence pricing. However, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, emphasized that the agency is now on high alert.
Monitoring and Engagement Intensified
Bello revealed that the FCCPC has ramped up its surveillance of market conduct throughout the festive period. The Commission is also deepening its dialogue with key stakeholders in the road transport sector.
These stakeholders include transport unions, park managers, and individual operators across the country. According to Bello, these talks are primarily preventive. Their goal is to foster responsible pricing, encourage voluntary compliance with the law, and ensure orderly behavior in the market.
The FCCPC boss clarified a crucial point: price increases are not inherently illegal. The Commission's concern lies with conduct that unfairly exploits consumers. Specifically, practices that take undue advantage of the heightened seasonal demand could violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018.
Practices That Will Attract Scrutiny and Penalties
Bello outlined several actions that would draw strict regulatory scrutiny and potential penalties. These include:
- Failing to disclose fares adequately to consumers before travel.
- Engaging in coercive or forceful conduct against passengers.
- Operators coordinating pricing arrangements amongst themselves to the detriment of consumers.
He issued a clear warning: once violations are established, defaulting operators will face stiff sanctions. The FCCPC stresses that passengers have a right to clear, accurate, and timely fare information before embarking on a journey. Any adjustment to prices must be communicated transparently and applied fairly to all.
The Commission also noted an irony in the current situation. These complaints are emerging alongside reports of a reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol, in several parts of Nigeria. While acknowledging that fuel cost is just one component of transport fares, the FCCPC stated that increases that are not properly explained raise valid consumer protection concerns.
Advice to Traveling Consumers
The FCCPC has advised the Nigerian traveling public to take proactive steps to protect themselves. Passengers should:
- Always confirm and agree on the total fare before the journey begins.
- Keep evidence of payment, such as tickets or receipts.
- Report any suspected unfair practice directly to the Commission.
Reports can be made via the official complaints portal at complaints.fccpc.gov.ng or through the dedicated hotlines: 0805 600 3030 and 0805 600 2020.
