In response to the 241% hike in electricity tariffs, Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, has claimed that the previous low tariffs led Nigerians to misuse electricity. He made this revelation during a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Friday.
The federal government has raised the electricity tariff for consumers from N66 per kilowatt to N255. This hike will impact Band A customers who use 20 hours of electricity daily.
Justifying the tariff increase, Adelabu stated, “Many individuals return from work intending to dine or socialize with friends, and they turn on the air conditioning to cool the room before they return. Others leave their freezers on for days when they go to work in the morning, even after all their items are frozen. This is because the tariffs are too low. We’ve all been abroad and seen how mindful power consumers are about electricity usage. This awareness will help us manage consumption.”
On the topic of electricity subsidies, the minister argued that it would have been thoughtless for the Nigerian government to continue paying a 100% electricity subsidy while consumers misuse power. He pointed out that 85% of electricity consumers will still receive power subsidies. However, he noted that the N2.9 trillion electricity subsidy in 2024 is an excessive burden for Nigeria.
“The government is sensitive, which is why 100% of the subsidy will be removed. That’s why we’re starting by gradually removing the subsidy for selected customers,” he explained.
Adelabu also gave assurances that the presidential power initiatives would enhance and improve electricity infrastructures across the transmission and distribution sector.
