The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission( NERC) has approved an increase in the electricity tariff for urban consumers, specifically those under the Band A classification. However, this review will not affect other consumers under Band B to E-service categories, representing 85% of the customer population.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, the commission’s vice chairman, Musliu Oseni, said the increase would see customers paying N225 kilowatts per hour, up from the current N66. He stressed that customers in Band A represent 15 percent of the 12 million electricity customers in the country.
“We currently have 800 feeders that are categorised as Band A feeders, but upon reviewing those feeders’ performance, the commission has now reduced it to under 500. This means that 17 percent now qualify as Band A feeders. Those are the feeders that are currently meeting the average of 20 hours.
He added that the commission had also downgraded some customers on Band A to Band B due to the non-fulfilment of the required hours of electricity provided by the electricity distribution company.
“So we have just 17 percent of the total feeders of the distribution companies now qualifying as Band A feeders. When you look at where those feeders are, it is estimated that under 15 percent of customers are currently connected to those feeders. Based on that, the feeders are not meeting the 24-hour supply and have been asked to be downgraded immediately, with strict compliance and strong enforcement action,” he said.
Mr. Oseni added that the commission had issued an order titled April Supplementary Order, which took effect on April 3.
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