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Stakeholders Condemn Electricity Tariff Hike, Call For Reversal
Some power experts have condemned the increase in electricity tariff, describing it as arbitrary and calling for the immediate reversal of the increase.
The experts who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday said the sudden increase was illegal.
NAN reports that condemnation has continued to trail the increase in electricity tariffs by power distribution companies (Discos), with consumer groups and industry experts describing the hike as illegal.
Mr Sina Odugbemi, National Coordinator, WhereIsTheLight, an advocacy group, said, “There’s no noble reason for the perennial and at times secret increase in electricity tariff by the Discos beyond their inhuman exploitation.
“Profit, not service, is the focus to these organisations that always breach all rules of engagement with impunity, and the government is condoning such barefaced robbery and lawlessness.
“This points out the evil of privatisation of public utilities while still using public funds to sustain the same enterprise sold to a few privileged individuals.”
Odugbemi said sustainability should not be by exploitation of customers but by quality service.
He said the overwhelming majority of power consumers were still not metered as promised and directed by the federal government.
He wondered how the Discos would continue to hike tariffs when many communities bought transformers, cables and poles themselves.
He said communities still made payments to officials of Discos to fix faults and materials, which is contrary to the guidelines of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
He said despite this; the Discos claimed ownership of materials such as transformers, poles and wires bought by communities, companies or individuals.
“Is that not crazy and open robbery? he queried.
Prof. Yemi Oke, a legal consultant and energy advisor, said, “This is lawlessness of the highest order. So, we’ll continue to arbitrarily increase tariffs without complying with the provisions of the law? What a shame!
“Things are not done like this in any decent clime. We’re reasonably educated and civilised enough to know what goes on around there. It’s a big shame.”
The professor maintained that the tariff hike was annoying, “We’ve been reduced to nothing as a people and businesses. Not even the decency or courtesy of information and adequate notice was given the the general public before the hike.
“Tariff methodologies have statutory bases. NERC has regulations but it is violating its own regulations by failing to ensure effective regulation of this vital sector.
“Part of regulatory efficiency is to set clear rules and guidelines with clear benchmarks.
“A prudent regulator will not encourage or condone clandestine increase in tariffs. It’s all a failure of direction, leadership and regulation.
“It will never improve sector efficiency or bring out those Discos from technical insolvencies.”
Oke added that Nigerians would continue to play ‘smart’ and protest against the anomaly.
“A responsible regulator will be open, firm and decisive in its actions even if tariffs need to be justifiably increased.
“So, Nigerians don’t have a right to know? We’re now so ‘worthless’ that we keep paying more even when service has not improved.
“Instead of increasing the supply net, we’re over-tasking and over-billing the few existing customers. I can’t wait for Nigerians to stand up to their rights as electricity consumers or customers,” he said.
He was emphatic that every increase in electricity tariff must follow a Multi-year Tariff Order (MYTO), adding that the year 2020 was the last order in a bi-annual review to determine tariff increase.
He said the MYTO must be reviewed and authorise tariff increase after following laid-down rules, including wide consultation.
“This new one shows they’re determined to continue to take Nigerians for granted,” he said.
Mr Samuel Ilori, the National Coordinator, All Electricity Consumers Protection Forum, said there was no genuine reason ever adduced by the regulatory body before approving tariff increment for Discos.
Ilori said NERC had continuously violated the provisions of the law to satisfy the uncontrollable appetite of Discos for increase under the pretence that it must be competitive and to attract investors.
“In 2016, when the first major increase was done using MYTO schedule 2014, it was glaring that the then minister approved the increase to satisfy the yearning of the Discos.
“Because they said they were not meeting their targets and could not break even, hence the then minister said it was inevitable and dubbed it ‘bitter pill’ Nigerians must swallow even though its approval was in violation of section 76(2)(b) of electric power sector reforms Act, 2005.
“I will advise the government not to renew the almost expired 10 years performance agreement of November 3rd, 2013, signed with the Discos by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.
“Enough of blame games and it’s obvious that after ten years, the current investors cannot take us anywhere, hence the contract must not be renewed,” he said.
Ilori said the impression that there was 100 per cent increase in tarrif this new year was wrong, but that there was a systemic fraud pre-approved by the NERC to serve as minor review window legally provided by the MYTO schedule 2014.
He said the MYTO stipulated that minor review must be requested by the Discos every six months after fulfilling some conditions.
“The fraud inherent is that, instead of that bi-annual minor review, the NERC has approved beforehand unilaterally a periodic increase from January to December of each year up to 2027 for each Discos without informing the other stakeholders.
“Hence by the documents from NERC, this increment will be witnessed every year from January each year to 2027.
“That’s how insensitive the regulatory body has become and the disdain they have for Nigerian electricity consumers.
“We are prepared to go to court again to challenge the propriety of NERC in granting approval and also demand for reversal as well as refund of all illegal charges to consumers on the basis of yearly tabular increase in the order 205/2020 of September 2020,” he added.
However, Mr Adetayo Adegbenle, Executive Director, Power up Nigeria, said the MYTO document clearly stipulated two tariff reviews annually.
“I have said this a million times, instead of protesting and complaining, if it is not going down well with Nigerians, let us approach the National Assembly to get this reviewed.
”Nigerians should also note that the gradual removal of subsidy in electricity tariff has been successful implemented,” said Adegbenle.
Similarly, the Managing Director, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Dr Tinuade Sanda, justified the electricity tariff increase within its network.
Sanda, explained that the recent hike in tariff only covered consumers under bands A and B (customers who are under the service of 16-20 hours on the average), adding that the average increase was in the region of N8.
She said foreign exchange and increase in gas prices also contributed to the tariff increase.
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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