The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a significant hike in electricity tariffs for Band A customers, a move that is expected to impact consumers who enjoy uninterrupted power supply for 20 hours per day.

Speaking at a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday, Musliu Oseni, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), revealed that the tariff adjustment will result in Band A customers paying ₦225 per kilowatt-hour, marking a substantial increase from the current rate of ₦66.

Oseni clarified that Band A customers constitute approximately 15 percent of the total 12 million electricity consumers across the country. He further elaborated that the commission had taken measures to downgrade certain customers from Band A to Band B due to their failure to meet the required hours of electricity provision by the respective electricity distribution companies.

“We currently have 800 feeders categorized as Band A, but this number will now be reduced to under 500. Consequently, only 17 percent of these feeders will now qualify as Band A feeders, serving a mere 15 percent of the total electricity customers connected to them,” Oseni stated.

He disclosed that the commission had issued an order titled “April Supplementary Order,” permitting a rate of 225 kilowatt-hours per hour.

Importantly, Oseni emphasized that the tariff review would not impact customers falling under other bands, thereby implying that the adjustments are specifically targeted at Band A consumers.