- Lower-band electricity users decry neglect as DisCos focus on Band A customers to meet NERC’s 20-hour supply mandate.
- Consumers nationwide reject proposed tariff hike, citing erratic supply, inflated estimated bills, and poor service.
- Power Minister calls for cost-reflective tariffs, saying Nigeria’s ₦4 trillion energy sector debt makes subsidies unsustainable.
Electricity consumers in Nigeria’s lower service bands have accused Distribution Companies (DisCos) of neglecting them while prioritising premium customers. They say DisCos now focus only on Band A customers, leaving Bands B and C in the dark.
Many Band B and C users report worsening supply. They believe DisCos aim to meet the 20-hour daily supply rule set by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), ignoring other consumers.
Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu recently announced plans to enforce cost-reflective tariffs. He said Nigeria can no longer maintain electricity subsidies due to over ₦4 trillion in sector debt.
Adelabu revealed that the government owes $857 million to power generation companies and $1.3 billion to gas suppliers. He added that the ₦450 billion set aside for subsidies in 2024 covers only a fraction of the ₦2.9 trillion needed.
He urged the country to end blanket subsidies and focus on targeted support for vulnerable Nigerians.
The government approved a 230.8% tariff increase for Band A last year. Yet many Band A customers still complain of power outages and poor service.
In Katsina State, customers of Kaduna Electric say they pay ₦10,000 to ₦13,000 monthly without receiving power. A vendor in Kwado uses over 20 litres of diesel daily to power his shop.
Residents in Ilorin, Kwara State, say the supply rarely lasts three hours daily. In Osun, a welder in Owode Ede abandoned his trade for farming after power became unreliable.
In Lafia, Nasarawa State, consumers rejected the planned hike. A civil servant said he pays ₦15,000 monthly, which takes up 10% of his salary. A technician said he gets five hours of power every two days despite paying ₦50,000 monthly.
Akwa Ibom residents say rising bills and poor supply have pushed many businesses into losses. An 80-year-old landlady in Uyo said PHEDC issues her monthly bills of over ₦80,000 through estimated billing, despite a faulty meter.
In Enugu, residents said their ₦60–₦70 per unit payments deliver little supply. In Ondo, a widow said her community raised funds to fix a stolen transformer after two months without power.
Edo State residents said they pay ₦10,000 monthly but get just four hours of supply daily. In Ebonyi, customers on prepaid meters said they spend ₦10,000 weekly, while estimated billing customers pay up to ₦60,000 per duplex.
Eko DisCo’s spokesperson, Babatunde Lasaki, said supply issues stem from limited generation. He said Eko DisCo receives only 513mw, though it needs 1,000mw for adequate service.
Ikeja Electric and Kano DisCo also blamed low supply and weak transmission for the poor service. They said they prioritise hospitals and schools where possible.
Despite the explanations, consumers demanded better service before any further tariff hike. Many now consider switching to solar energy to escape unreliable supply and high costs.