Electricity supply has shown noticeable improvement in some parts of Nigeria, offering relief to many households and businesses. Reports from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and sections of Yobe indicate more consistent power in recent months compared with previous years.
Yet the story is different in states such as Ekiti, Sokoto, parts of Yobe, and the Federal Capital Territory, where residents continue to struggle with irregular service.
Even in areas where supply has become steadier, complaints about escalating costs dominate public conversation. Consumers on Band A—those entitled to at least 20 hours of daily supply—were hit hardest after the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) raised their tariff from roughly ₦66 per kilowatt-hour to ₦225 in April 2024. Though the commission later reviewed the figure downward to ₦206.80 in May, many customers still describe the charges as crushing.
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The Service-Based Tariff structure, introduced in October 2023, divides users into five categories: Band A (20 hours), Band B (16 hours), Band C (12 hours), Band D (8 hours), and Band E (4 hours). While the model aims to link cost to service level, many households argue that the financial pressure outweighs the benefits.
In Lagos, some residents applauded the improved supply but expressed dismay at their monthly bills. A trader in Agege said her earnings could not keep pace with charges, while another consumer disclosed that his household disconnected entirely after monthly bills exceeded ₦150,000.
Meanwhile, the federal government’s promise to boost generation to 6,000 megawatts by the end of 2024 remains unmet, with output fluctuating between 4,000MW and 5,000MW through mid-2025.
