The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced a hike in electricity tariffs for a segment of consumers, amidst ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s power sector.
The new tariff structure, effective April 1st, applies to customers classified under Band A, which typically refers to those who receive a relatively high number of daily power supply hours often exceeding 20 hours.
According to NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, these Band A customers will see their electricity bills jump from the current N66 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to N225 per kWh, a 240 percent increase.
The NERC claims the tariff hike is necessary to improve the financial viability of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and attract investment in the sector.
But Nigerians worry about the timing, considering inflation and living costs. They argue the hike will strain low-income earners, even though only 15 percent of consumers are affected (Band A).
The move reignites discussions about the electricity subsidy program, which costs the government billions but faces inefficiency and transparency issues.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
