The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there are no immediate plans to increase electricity tariffs, reaffirming that its current focus is on improving power supply, expanding electricity metering and ensuring consumers pay only for the electricity they use.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, gave the assurance on Friday during a media interactive session in Lagos, amid growing public concerns over the possibility of another electricity tariff increase following previous reviews, particularly for Band A customers.
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Tegbe stressed that the administration remains committed to delivering better service rather than imposing additional financial burdens on electricity consumers.
“There is no policy by this administration to increase electricity tariffs beyond the current level,” the minister stated.
“Our priority is not tariff increase in the immediate term. Our priority is service improvement, universal metering and ensuring Nigerians pay only for the electricity they actually consume.”
The minister further explained that the Federal Government would continue to implement measures aimed at protecting vulnerable electricity consumers while strengthening the financial sustainability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
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According to him, the Ministry of Power has developed a comprehensive transformation agenda designed to boost electricity generation, strengthen transmission infrastructure, improve distribution efficiency and restore liquidity across the power sector.
As part of the reforms, Tegbe announced the inauguration of the Power Force initiative, a programme that will engage 5,000 Nigerian youths in electricity meter installation nationwide.
He said the initiative is expected to accelerate universal metering while creating employment opportunities and building technical capacity in the electricity sector.
The minister also disclosed that the government has made significant progress in addressing long-standing challenges associated with meter procurement.
He noted that Nigeria had consistently generated more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity over the past two weeks due to improved coordination across the entire power value chain.
“Although much work remains, enhanced operational coordination, improved plant availability and better engagement across the value chain are beginning to produce measurable improvements,” he said.
To further strengthen electricity supply, Tegbe revealed that the Federal Government would conduct the country’s first comprehensive technical audit of the national transmission network.
The audit, he explained, would identify ageing infrastructure, overloaded substations, weak transmission corridors, protection failures and other operational challenges affecting reliable electricity supply.
He noted that the findings would serve as a guide for future investments, improve planning and significantly reduce system failures across the national grid.
The minister added that the government is also working to strengthen critical transmission infrastructure, improve grid stability and tackle long-standing liquidity challenges within the electricity market.
According to him, the administration is advancing a Power Sector Bond initiative aimed at clearing legacy debts owed to electricity generation companies, gas suppliers and other key participants in the power sector.
Expressing optimism about the ongoing reforms, Tegbe said Nigerians should begin to experience noticeable improvements in electricity availability within the next few months.
He added that over the next two to three years, the reforms are expected to deliver a stronger national grid, lower technical losses, expanded electricity access and improved operational efficiency across the country’s power sector.
