Nigerian electricity consumers urge the government to improve power supply before increasing tariffs, arguing that price hikes alone won’t solve power sector challenges

**Electricity consumers in Nigeria have cautioned the Federal Government against an imminent electricity tariff hike, arguing that it will not end persistent power outages.**

The **Nigeria Consumer Protection Network (NCPN)** insists that any tariff increase should be tied to significant improvements in power supply, ensuring all consumers receive stable electricity regardless of their service band.

Speaking on the issue, **Kola Olubiyo, President of the NCPN**, pointed out that Nigeria’s power generation has **stagnated at around 5,600 megawatts (MW)** since 2013, despite heavy investments.

> “If we attempt to pick a load of 5,800 MW or 6,000 MW, the national grid will collapse,” he warned, highlighting inefficiencies in the power transmission system.

He noted that despite **over $10 billion** invested in the sector in the past decade, **no significant capacity increase has been achieved**.

Olubiyo argued that raising tariffs—**even to ₦1,000 per kilowatt-hour**—would not guarantee:

## Better service efficiency
## Improved power supply
## Revenue optimisation

Instead, he urged the government and investors to **upgrade infrastructure and ensure full metering** before implementing higher tariffs.

President **Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen**, has hinted at a tariff hike in the coming months. However, she assured that **the poorest Nigerians will be protected**, as the current ₦200 billion monthly electricity subsidy mostly benefits the wealthiest **25% of Nigerians**.