Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the Federal Government’s plan to regularise electricity tariffs for electricity consumers on Bands A, B, and C, vowing to lead mass nationwide protests if the proposal goes ahead.
In a communiqué released on Sunday, March 3, 2025, after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, the NLC condemned the planned tariff adjustments, describing it as economic violence against Nigerians.
The Federal Government had recently proposed the migration of lower electricity bands to Band A, a move that could lead to higher tariff rates. Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu announced last Thursday that lower bands would be upgraded to Band A as part of service improvement measures.
However, the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, in the communiqué, rejected the move, calling it a deliberate attempt to impose unjustified extortion on electricity consumers.
The statement read:
“NEC unequivocally rejects the ongoing sham reclassification of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which seeks to forcefully migrate consumers from lower bands to Band A under the guise of service improvement while, in reality, imposing unjustified extortion on the masses.”
The labour union further described the plan as a systematic exploitation sanctioned by the Ministry of Power, warning that the move could worsen the plight of Nigerians already struggling with rising inflation and stagnant wages.
Threat of Nationwide Protest
The NLC warned that any attempt to implement the planned tariff hike would be met with mass resistance across the country.
“NEC-in-session warns that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases will be met with mass resistance,” the communiqué stated.
The labour union vowed to mobilise for a nationwide protest if the government and NERC proceed with the tariff increase under any guise.
Nigeria’s Power Crisis and Tariff Hikes
Nigeria has battled with persistent electricity shortages for decades despite the privatisation of the power sector in 2013. Power generation, transmission, and distribution have continued to face policy inconsistencies, low investments, and operational challenges.
In 2024, NERC approved a tariff hike that saw Band A customers paying about N250 per unit of power, a move that was widely criticised by consumers.
The rising cost of electricity, alongside the surge in petrol and diesel prices, has worsened the hardship faced by many Nigerians.
Despite these challenges, NERC has granted some State Electricity Regulatory Commissions licenses to operate power plants and distribution networks to bridge the electricity supply gap.
Many Nigerians have expressed frustration over the poor power supply and frequent tariff increases. The NLC’s threat of mass protests has further amplified the growing discontent over the government’s handling of the energy sector.
With rising inflation and the cost of living at record highs, the Federal Government’s planned electricity tariff hike is likely to face stiff opposition from both organised labour and the general public.
The coming weeks will be crucial as the NLC prepares to mobilise nationwide protests if the government proceeds with the implementation of the new tariff regime.
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