Power consumers across Nigeria have strongly opposed the Federal Government’s plan to raise electricity tariffs by over 66%, from N116.18 to N193.63 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The proposed hike, which aims to achieve cost-reflective tariffs, has sparked outrage due to persistent power outages, estimated billing issues, and the failure of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to meet service delivery standards.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, recently disclosed that electricity prices must rise to attract private investment and improve supply reliability. However, consumer advocacy groups argue that such an increase is unjustified when millions of Nigerians lack stable electricity access.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has confirmed that all customers, except those already on Band A (20+ hours of power daily), should prepare for the new tariff. Despite this, many Nigerians in Bands B to E who receive far fewer hours of electricity are already burdened by irregular power supply and billing issues.
Consumer rights groups, including the Electricity Consumers Protection Forum, insist that the government should first meter all customers before imposing tariff hikes. They argue that unmetered customers on estimated billing may end up paying even more for power they do not receive.
With Nigeria generating only 4,500 megawatts for a population exceeding 200 million, the power sector remains plagued by infrastructure decay, grid collapses, and subsidy payment failures. Calls for reform continue, but for millions of Nigerians, the immediate concern remains: Will higher tariffs translate to better electricity supply?
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