The Federal Government has ruled out any immediate increase in electricity tariffs, saying its focus is on improving power supply, achieving universal metering and ensuring consumers pay only for the electricity they actually use.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, gave the assurance on Friday during a media roundtable on the government’s efforts to reset Nigeria’s power sector in Lagos.
Tegbe said there was no plan by the current administration to raise electricity tariffs beyond existing levels, stressing that priority would be given to better service delivery and consumer protection.
“First, there is no policy by this administration to increase electricity tariffs beyond its current level. 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 said.
He added that the government would continue to explore measures to protect vulnerable consumers while improving the financial stability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
“Indeed, the Federal Government will continue to examine additional mechanisms for protecting vulnerable consumers whilst simultaneously improving the financial sustainability of the market,” he said.
The minister explained that the position formed part of a wider strategy to reform the power sector through initiatives aimed at boosting electricity supply, strengthening the national grid, attracting investment and creating a sustainable electricity market.
According to him, the reforms are being driven by the implementation of the Electricity Act, which has allowed states to develop electricity markets based on their economic needs. He added that the government is also advancing a Power Sector Bond initiative to clear outstanding debts owed to generation companies, gas suppliers and other stakeholders.
Tegbe said the Presidential Metering Initiative remains a key part of the reforms, noting that the government is working towards full metering coverage to end estimated billing and improve transparency in electricity charges.
He also announced the launch of the Power Force initiative, which will engage 5,000 Nigerian youths in nationwide meter installation while providing technical training through the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria had maintained electricity generation levels of about 5,000 megawatts over the past two weeks, attributing the improvement to better operational coordination, increased plant availability and stronger cooperation among stakeholders across the 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,” Tegbe said.
However, he cautioned that higher generation capacity alone would not resolve the country’s power challenges, noting that improvements were needed across generation, transmission, distribution and market payment systems.
As part of the government’s transformation agenda, Tegbe announced plans for a comprehensive technical assessment of the national transmission network, improved coordination between federal and state electricity regulators, investments in major transmission corridors including Lagos, Enugu–Port Harcourt and Abuja–Kaduna–Kano, as well as the proposed “Super Grid Programme” to reinforce Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure.
