Nigeria Hikes Electricity Tariffs Amid Consumer Outcry

By Bashir Olanrewaju

Nigeria has approved the doubling of electricity tariffs for all categories of consumers, according to the National Electricity Regulatory Agency.

The increase will apply to consumers that receive at least 12 hours of power supply daily for at least one month, and will remain subsidized for those who get less, the regulator said in a statement on Twitter.

Rates were increased for all bands of consumers classified from A to E, who will now pay four naira per kilowatt as against the previous price of two  naira.

4. In compliance with the provisions of the EPSR Act and the nation’s tariff methodology for biannual minor review, the rates for service bands A, B, C, D and E have been adjusted by NGN2.00 to NGN4.00 per kWhr to reflect the partial impact of inflation & movement in forex.

— NERC Nigeria (@NERCNG) January 5, 2021

The increases “reflect the partial impact of inflation and movement in forex,: according to the statement.

The different payment bands include residential,  commercial and industrial users The rest are special usets and street lights.

The hike comes at a time consumers were already complaining about the growing costs of power and its impact on people’s livelihoods.