The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has hinted at a possible increase in electricity tariffs as part of efforts to improve power supply and service delivery across the country.
NERC made this known in a statement shared on its official X account on Monday, where it assured electricity consumers that the planned review would be aimed at improving customer experience and ensuring better service quality.
Although the commission did not announce any specific new rates, it stated that consumers deserved proper information and transparency regarding any tariff adjustment.
“There is no issue of hidden pricing or arbitrary disconnection of electricity,” the commission said.
NERC added that the planned tariff review was designed to improve the quality of life of Nigerians while ensuring that electricity services become more efficient and sustainable.
According to the commission, the current electricity payment structure does not properly address challenges such as unstable supply and inadequate metering.
“We are bringing the electricity tariff closer to consumers to improve service delivery and ensure continued protection of customer rights,” the statement noted.
The commission also reaffirmed its commitment to addressing customer complaints and protecting electricity consumers nationwide.
The development comes more than a year after NERC approved a major tariff increase for Band A customers in April 2024. At the time, electricity rates jumped from around N68 per kilowatt-hour to about N225 per kilowatt-hour, affecting customers receiving at least 20 hours of electricity daily.
The rates were later slightly reduced to N206.80/kWh before some electricity distribution companies adjusted them upward again to around N209.50/kWh.
Despite the increase, many consumers have continued to complain about poor power supply, arguing that the electricity received does not justify the higher tariffs.
The possibility of another tariff hike has already sparked concerns among Nigerians struggling with rising living costs, inflation and the weakening value of the naira.
Recently, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, warned that salary increases alone would not improve workers’ welfare if the economy remained unstable.
According to him, even workers earning as much as N1 million monthly would still face hardship if inflation and the falling value of the naira continue unchecked.
He stressed that Nigerians are more concerned about the purchasing power of their income than the amount earned on paper, noting that rising costs of food, transportation and housing are putting serious pressure on households across the country.
