The Federal Government has dismissed reports suggesting an imminent increase in electricity tariffs, insisting that the current administration has no policy to raise electricity charges beyond existing levels.
Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Tegbe, gave the assurance, saying the government’s immediate focus is on improving electricity supply, accelerating universal metering and ensuring Nigerians pay only for the power they consume.
“There is no policy by this administration to increase electricity tariffs beyond the current level. Our priority is not tariff increase in the immediate term,” Tegbe said.
The minister explained that ongoing reforms in the power sector are centred on improving service delivery rather than imposing additional financial burdens on electricity consumers.
According to him, the Federal Government will continue to drive universal metering to eliminate estimated billing while ensuring consumers are billed accurately for electricity supplied.
“Our priority is service improvement, universal metering and ensuring Nigerians pay only for the electricity they actually consume,” he added.
Tegbe also assured Nigerians that the government would continue to explore measures to protect vulnerable households while improving the financial sustainability of the electricity market.
“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 clarification follows recent public concerns over possible tariff adjustments after comments by government officials on the need for increased private investment in the power sector were interpreted in some quarters as signalling another round of electricity tariff increases.
The Presidency has since clarified that no tariff hike is being planned for consumers across any service band.
Tegbe stressed that the administration’s power sector reforms are focused on implementation and measurable improvements in electricity supply, noting that success would be judged by the impact on the daily lives of Nigerians.
“Resetting the sector is not about buzzwords. It is about execution, discipline, coordination and measurable outcomes.
We will measure our outcomes by improvements experienced in the daily lives of Nigerians.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a power sector capable of supporting economic growth and industrial development.
“Our ambition is clear: reliable electricity that powers our homes, competitive electricity that powers our industries, sustainable electricity that attracts investment and inclusive electricity that reaches every Nigerian.”
Since assuming office, Tegbe has consistently maintained that the Federal Government’s electricity reforms are aimed at improving reliability, attracting investment and strengthening the financial viability of the sector through better governance, infrastructure protection and enhanced service delivery, rather than relying solely on tariff adjustments.
