LEADERSHIP Award Motivates Us To Do More – Bello

The executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Tunji Bello, has said that the recognition of the Commission as Government Agency of the Year 2025 by LEADERSHIP Newspapers will serve as a major motivation for the agency to deepen its consumer protection and fair competition mandate.

Bello, described the recognition as “a real honour,” saying it represented a significant validation of the Commission’s ongoing reforms and growing public visibility under the current administration.

Speaking in Abuja, yesterday at the Commission’s headquarters during the presentation of the award letter by the management of LEADERSHIP Group Limited, publishers of LEADERSHIP Newspapers, Bello said the award had further inspired the agency to sustain its performance and exceed expectations.

“This is a real honour. We feel we are really very, very grateful to you. These are the men, and I must say this because the new administration just came in a little over a year ago, and to be considered by a reputable newspaper — the leader of leaders — is something we deeply appreciate. That is why I must say you are truly the leader in the Nigerian media,” he said.

Bello, a former newspaper editor, commended LEADERSHIP for its editorial integrity and professionalism, saying its name reflected its standing in the Nigerian media landscape.

“Your name, the LEADERSHIP Newspaper, truly reflects what you are — a leader. When we are talking of editorial leadership in the Nigerian media, responsible coverage and professionalism, I must say, if you go to my table today, one of the first papers I always read is LEADERSHIP. Having been a former editor myself, I know what it takes to produce a quality newspaper, and LEADERSHIP is one of them.”

“We are very proud of ourselves, and we are truly grateful for what you have done by nominating us as the Agency of the Year for 2025. It is an honour because it has set a model for us that we cannot go back on what we have achieved this year. We must work harder and build on what we have done so that we can truly live up to the spirit of leadership,” he said.

Bello recalled that when he assumed office, his first goal was to make Nigerians more aware of the Commission’s role in their daily lives.

“When I was posted to the FCCPC, I asked myself how many Nigerians actually know about this agency, or how we have been relevant to the ordinary consumer on the street. That was my first task. I remember when I went to the Senate, they asked us a lot of questions, and I said the area we need to improve is to ensure Nigerians embrace the FCCPC as part of their daily culture,” he explained.

Drawing comparisons with leading global regulators, he said the FCCPC’s mission aligned with the mandate of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

“We are like the CMA of the UK and the FTC of the US. These are powerful agencies that have held major corporations accountable including global brands such as British Airways,” Bello said. “The only way Nigerians can truly feel that they are the kings in the consumer world is when sellers, producers, and manufacturers understand that they owe consumers a duty to provide quality and genuine products.”

He added that the Commission was determined to make market operators more accountable and responsive.

“What we have decided to do is to make sellers and producers more responsible. It is not enough to sell, you must also sell what the consumer deserves to buy. That is what we have been doing. We know we still have a long journey ahead, but we have highly competent staff in every department who know what to do at any time. We are very proud of them,” he stated.

Bello assured Nigerians that the Commission would not relent in ensuring fairness, competition, and consumer rights protection.

“This is not just the beginning. We recognise that you have honoured us because we have done well, but we also know we can do more, and Nigerians deserve more from us. We promise you that we will not disappoint you. We will continue to live up to your high expectations,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to the management of LEADERSHIP Newspapers for its professionalism and contribution to national development.

“Please convey our appreciation to your management for doing a wonderful job. We are very proud of your newspaper, and we hope you continue to do great things for Nigerians and for the nation’s leaders, so they will know there is a guide,” he said.

Bello, who has worked alongside several senior journalists for decades, noted that journalists often excel in public service because of their discipline and accountability.

“Many of us have been in the media together for a long time. As journalists, we used to be the guardians, but who guards the guardians? Now, when journalists find themselves in public office, they know what is at stake, and they have no choice but to live up to expectation,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming the FCCPC’s resolve to justify the confidence reposed in it.

“Once again, I want to thank you, and we promise that we will live up to your expectation,” Bello said.

Presenting the award letter, the editor-in-chief of LEADERSHIP Group, Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene, said the recognition followed a rigorous, data-driven evaluation process that honours institutions with measurable and verifiable impact.

“There are many awards today in Nigeria, and people often question their value. But the LEADERSHIP Awards have carved a niche for themselves. They are not pre-negotiated or commercially motivated, we deal strictly with data and facts on the ground regarding what has been achieved,” Ishiekwene stated.

He said the FCCPC’s nomination was unanimous, reflecting the Commission’s growing reputation for fairness, enforcement integrity, and consumer protection.

“Some of us have followed the FCCPC from when it was still the CPC to what it has become today, and we have been particularly impressed by what has been achieved under the current leadership,” he said. “When the FCCPC came up for nomination, there was no dissension. It was a unanimous decision that under the current administration, the Commission deserves encouragement and recognition.”

Ishiekwene explained that LEADERSHIP’s awards philosophy goes beyond the media’s watchdog role to include encouragement of institutional excellence.

“People often ask why journalists should give awards when we are supposed to be watchdogs. But our responsibility as the press does not end at holding the government to account. We believe firmly that part of the duty of the press is also to encourage, to support, and to help build institutions. That is the fundamental reason we have sustained this platform for 18 years,” he said.

Reading from the official citation, Ishiekwene said,“The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has been selected for this prestigious honour in recognition of the agency’s expanded enforcement footprint, recovery of over ₦10 billion in consumer refunds, and demonstration of exceptional regulatory courage, notably through the imposition of a $220million fine on Meta Platforms for exploitative practices against Nigerian users — a decision upheld by the Commission.

“In view of these and other landmark achievements, and your steadfast commitment to consumer protection and fair competition, the selection board found the FCCPC most deserving of this honour as Government Agency of the Year with verifiable, data-driven achievements.”

He described the recognition as a “tremendous honour” for LEADERSHIP to personally present to the Commission’s management.

“On behalf of our team, it is a great honour and privilege to present to you this letter of award. From the warmth we received at your premises to the professionalism we’ve seen in your work, we are deeply impressed. This award is well deserved,” he added.