FG RULES OUT ELECTRICITY TARIFF HIKE, PRIORITISES BETTER POWER SUPPLY
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By; Sunmola Ganiyat
The Federal Government has ruled out any immediate increase in electricity tariffs, saying its focus is on improving electricity supply, achieving universal metering and ensuring consumers pay only for the power they use.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, made this known on Friday during a media roundtable on the reset of Nigeria’s power sector in Lagos.
Tegbe dismissed speculation about an impending tariff hike, stating that the current administration has no policy to increase electricity tariffs beyond existing rates.
According to him, the government’s immediate priorities are improving service delivery, expanding metering nationwide and eliminating estimated billing to ensure transparency in electricity consumption and billing.
He added that the Federal Government would continue exploring measures to protect vulnerable electricity consumers while strengthening the financial sustainability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
The minister explained that the government’s position forms part of broader reforms aimed at transforming the power sector through improved electricity supply, a stronger national grid, restored investor confidence and a more sustainable electricity market.
He noted that the reforms are being driven by the implementation of the Electricity Act, which allows states to establish electricity markets tailored to their economic needs, while the Federal Government is also pursuing a Power Sector Bond initiative to clear outstanding debts owed to power generation companies, gas suppliers and other industry stakeholders.
Tegbe said the Presidential Metering Initiative remains a key component of the reform agenda, with the government committed to achieving universal metering to end estimated billing across the country.
He also announced the launch of the Power Force Initiative, a programme expected to engage 5,000 Nigerian youths in meter installation nationwide while providing technical training through the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria.
The minister further disclosed that Nigeria has consistently generated about 5,000 megawatts of electricity over the past two weeks, attributing the improvement to better operational coordination, increased plant availability and stronger collaboration among players in the power sector.
Despite the progress, he stressed that higher electricity generation alone would not resolve the country’s power challenges, noting that sustainable improvements require coordinated investments in generation, transmission, distribution and market payments.
As part of the sector’s transformation agenda, Tegbe announced plans for a comprehensive technical audit of the national transmission network, harmonisation of federal and state electricity regulations, strategic investments in key transmission corridors, and the implementation of a Super Grid Programme to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity transmission infrastructure.
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