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 them against imposing arbitrary and unexplained increases in travel fares during the busy Christmas and New Year travel season.
Consumer Complaints Trigger Regulatory Action
The commission's warning was made public on Sunday, 21 December 2025, in an official statement. The statement was signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu. This move by the FCCPC comes as a direct response to a noticeable surge in complaints from passengers nationwide regarding sudden and unjustified fare hikes.
In the statement, Ijagwu acknowledged that certain factors can legitimately influence transport costs. The FCCPC recognises that seasonal demand, operational pressures, and other valid cost inputs may affect pricing. However, the commission emphasised a fundamental consumer right. "Consumers are entitled to clear, accurate, and timely information on fares before travel," the statement declared. It further insisted that any adjustment to fares must be communicated with transparency and applied in a fair manner to all passengers.
Monitoring Market Conduct During Festive Season
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, provided further insight into the commission's stance. Bello confirmed that the FCCPC is closely monitoring market conduct throughout the festive period. As part of this surveillance, the commission has intensified its engagement with key stakeholders in the road transport sector.
These stakeholders include:
- Transport unions
- Park managers
- Individual transport operators
Bello described these engagements as preventive. Their primary goal is to encourage responsible pricing practices, voluntary compliance, and orderly market behaviour. He made a critical clarification: price increases are not automatically illegal. However, business conduct that exploits consumers or unfairly capitalises on heightened seasonal demand could attract regulatory scrutiny.
Practices That Will Face Scrutiny
The FCCPC boss highlighted specific practices that will be subject to strict regulatory examination under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018. These include:
- Inadequate fare disclosure to passengers before travel.
- Any form of coercive conduct by operators or their agents.
- Coordinated pricing arrangements among operators designed to disadvantage consumers.
Bello issued a clear warning: where violations are established, the culprits will face stiff penalties from the commission. He also pointed out the irony in the current situation, noting that these complaints are emerging alongside reports of a reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as fuel.
While acknowledging that fuel cost is just one component of several that influence transport fares, Ijagwu stated that "increases that are not properly explained or disclosed raise valid consumer protection concerns."
Advice for Travelling Consumers
To protect themselves, the FCCPC has advised all consumers planning road travel this season to take the following steps:
- Confirm the exact fare before embarking on any journey.
- Retain clear evidence of payment, such as tickets or digital receipts.
- Report any suspected unfair practices directly to the FCCPC.
Reports can be made through the commission's official complaint portal at complaints.fccpc.gov.ng or via its dedicated hotlines: 0805 600 3030 and 0805 600 2020.
