Planned Electricity Tariff Hike Will Worsen Energy Poverty, RDI Warns

The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has condemned the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) plan to migrate lower-band electricity consumers to Band A, calling it an act of insensitivity that forces Nigerians to bear the failures of the 2013 power sector privatisation.

RDI warns that the proposed tariff hike will deepen energy poverty in the country, with severe consequences for businesses, healthcare services, and national development. The group’s stance aligns with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which has strongly opposed the plan and is preparing nationwide protests.

RDI executive director, Philip Jakpor, while speaking with LEADERSHIP, criticised the government’s approach, highlighting a World Bank report that names Nigeria as the country with the largest absolute electricity access deficit—where 45 percent of the population (90 million people) lack access to the grid.

“It is unacceptable that while millions already suffer from energy poverty, the government is taking steps that will push even more Nigerians into darkness,” Jakpor stated. He described the situation as “systematic exploitation and economic violence against ordinary citizens.”

He also pointed to the privatisation process’s failures, citing rising electricity costs, persistent power outages, grid collapses, and the growing divide between urban and rural electricity access. “How can a system that has led to the closure of 25 percent of manufacturing firms be considered successful?” he questioned.

Jakpor further criticised the band system, calling it a class-based structure that ensures only the wealthy can afford reliable electricity, leaving struggling Nigerians in the dark. He emphasised that even communities hosting gas facilities that power plants rely on are often left without electricity.

As a solution, RDI advocates for reversing power sector privatisation and shifting toward a public-public partnership model that encourages investment in renewable energy to complement the national grid.

“Increasing tariffs will only worsen the burden on Nigerians and prolong the failure of privatisation. This is no longer acceptable,” Jakpor warned.