FG rules out electricity tariff hike, promises 24-hour power supply
The Federal Government has dismissed reports of a planned increase in electricity tariffs, assuring Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to improving power supply nationwide.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, gave the assurance in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the groundbreaking ceremony for five interconnected mini-grid projects designed to strengthen electricity access across several communities.
The projects have a combined generation capacity of 17.7 megawatts and a 17.74-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
They are located in Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega, covering communities in Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tegbe urged Nigerians to disregard speculation about an impending tariff increase, insisting that the government’s immediate priority was to deliver reliable and uninterrupted electricity.
“I want to say this clearly and without ambiguity: there is no plan to increase electricity tariffs. What we are planning is a power sector that works around the clock. Our commitment is 24/7 power,” he said.
The minister explained that the Federal Government was implementing an energy development strategy targeting major economic corridors to improve electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
He identified the Lagos-Ogun, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridors as priority areas under the initiative.
According to him, efforts are also underway to strengthen the national grid and upgrade electricity infrastructure across the eastern, western and central parts of the country.
Tegbe said the mini-grid projects would reduce dependence on petrol and diesel generators, improve business productivity, attract investment and create employment opportunities in benefiting communities.
He described the initiative as part of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at expanding electricity access and supporting economic development.
The minister noted that similar projects had been implemented in several states through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
He commended President Tinubu for supporting electricity sector reforms and acknowledged the contributions of the REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the World Bank and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
Tegbe also praised the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers and community stakeholders for supporting the projects.
The government maintained that expanding electricity infrastructure and improving supply reliability remained central to its power sector development programme.