- The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warns of a nationwide protest if the government proceeds with electricity tariff hikes for Bands A, B, and C customers.
- NLC General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja condemned NERC’s reclassification of electricity consumers, calling it economic violence against Nigerian workers.
- Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu announced a plan to regularise tariffs, which aims to improve the power sector’s efficiency and infrastructure.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to stage a nationwide protest if the Federal Government proceeds with plans to regularise electricity tariffs for Bands A, B, and C customers.
NLC General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja issued the warning on Sunday, March 2, following reports by Channels Television. The federal government revealed its intention to adjust electricity tariffs to enhance the power sector’s efficiency.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, announced the plan during the Public Presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) in Abuja. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) supported the policy’s development.
Currently, Band B customers receive 17 to 18 hours of electricity per day at N63 per kWh. Band A customers, who receive an additional 2 to 6 hours, pay N209 per kWh, according to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria. Adelabu highlighted that in 2024, the government implemented cost-reflective tariffs for 15 per cent of consumers, marking progress in reforms.
Ugboaja strongly opposed the tariff adjustments. He condemned the reclassification of consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), describing it as a “sham.” He argued that the reclassification forces consumers into higher bands under the guise of improved service while imposing unjustified costs on the public. He referred to the tariff hike as “economic violence” against Nigerian workers.
The NLC accused the government of exploiting the masses. Ugboaja stated that the ruling elite aims to deepen Nigerians’ suffering through constant tariff hikes and increased taxes. He added that the government continues to shift its fiscal burden onto the already struggling masses despite soaring inflation and stagnant wages.
The NLC warned of mass resistance against any further tariff increases. Ugboaja affirmed the Congress’s readiness to mobilize for a nationwide protest if the Ministry of Power and NERC proceed with the planned hike. He emphasized that the NLC will not stand by while capitalist profiteers and state collaborators burden Nigerians.
In a related development, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) began distributing free prepaid meters to Band A customers in February 2025 under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme. In November 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) directed distribution companies (DisCos) to ensure Band A customers receive at least 20 hours of electricity daily.
The planned tariff adjustment seeks to boost power sector revenue, upgrade infrastructure, and provide more reliable electricity for consumers. However, the NLC insists that the move will unfairly burden the public without providing corresponding benefits, particularly for workers already struggling with high living costs.