The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has defended the recent increase in electricity tariffs, arguing that despite the higher costs faced by Nigerians, electricity remains cheaper in the country than in several neighbouring African nations. This was stated by TCN’s Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program.
Abdulaziz explained that Nigerians are paying more for power due to the complexities of electricity production, but maintained that customers in Band A, who reportedly enjoy 20 to 24 hours of power daily, are receiving reliable supply — a claim many Nigerians have challenged.
“Nigerians are getting 24 hours of electricity supply daily, not everybody, but those people on Band A get 20 to 22 hours,” said Abdulaziz. “Nigerians are paying more because producing electricity is not easy. If you look at the exchange rate and compare it to other African countries like Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal, electricity is still cheaper in Nigeria.”
He also assured that Nigeria is on track to achieve stable power supply within the next five years, adding that significant improvements have been made over the past year. “If you ask Nigerians, many will acknowledge that there has been improvement in power supply, and this improvement is going to continue,” he stated.
The tariff hike, implemented by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on April 3, 2024, saw customers in Band A, who receive about 20 hours of electricity daily, now paying N225 per kilowatt-hour, up from N66. This fourfold increase has sparked widespread criticism, especially as it came amid economic hardship following the removal of petrol subsidies, which resulted in a significant rise in fuel prices.
Many Nigerians have expressed frustration over the immediacy of the tariff increase, arguing that the burden of higher electricity costs adds to the financial challenges already posed by rising fuel prices and inflation. Despite this, the TCN insists that the current prices reflect the true cost of producing and maintaining electricity in the country.
