By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced an expansion of its ongoing investigation into the pricing templates used by some airlines on selected domestic routes, following widespread public concerns about what appears to be exploitative and coordinated increases in airfare, particularly across the South-East and South-South regions as the festive season approaches.
In an official signed statement, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, disclosed that there has been significant public outcry in recent days over suspected manipulation or unjustified spikes in ticket prices by certain airlines on specific routes. He noted that the Commission is now widening its inquiry to evaluate whether these pricing patterns violate provisions of the FCCPA 2018.
According to the FCCPC, the extended investigation will focus on operators on the affected routes, with the aim of establishing whether any anti-competitive, collusive, or exploitative practices may have occurred. The Commission added that the expanded inquiry remains separate from an earlier lawsuit instituted by Air Peace, which had sought to restrain the FCCPC from examining its pricing mechanisms after the Commission initiated a probe earlier in the year based on public complaints.
Clarifying the Commission’s position, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the FCCPC is not a price control agency but is empowered under the law to prevent consumer exploitation. “For the avoidance of doubt, we are not a price control board. But the FCCPA 2018 empowers us to check the exploitation of consumers. When we receive petitions or where we find cogent evidence, we will not stand by and watch Nigerian consumers being exploited under any guise,” he stated.
He emphasized that the Commission will take necessary action wherever evidence indicates that consumer welfare or market competitiveness is being undermined. Sections 17(b) and 17(e) of the FCCPA empower the Commission to monitor economic activities to detect restrictive, anti-competitive, or anti-consumer protection practices and to undertake investigations deemed necessary in the interest of consumers and fair market operations.
Although the FCCPC does not control pricing, the Commission noted that fair and transparent pricing is a central objective of the FCCPA. The law provides a broad framework to protect consumers from excessive, opaque, misleading, or collusive pricing practices while supporting competitive markets where prices are shaped by fair market dynamics.
In view of the recent arbitrary spikes in airfares, the Commission is extending its review of ticket pricing patterns, the basis for the reported increases, and any conduct that may undermine fair competition. Where evidence confirms a breach of the law, the FCCPC said it will apply appropriate enforcement measures.
The Commission assured that further updates on the aviation sector investigation will be communicated in due course.
