FG denies tariff hike for electricity consumers

The Federal Government has said there is no planned tariff hike for any electricity consumer across any service band, saying the government remains committed to protecting vulnerable households through continued tariff support.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure (Office of the Vice President), Sadiq Wanka, and made available to Tribune Online said some media reports (not Tribune) have misrepresented comments made by him on electricity tariffs, and which has become necessary to provide clarity.

According to him, the comments were made during a presentation at the Asharami Square 3.0 event in Lagos on 22nd July 2026, where he addressed investment opportunities in the power sector and how the Federal Government’s reform programme has opened new avenues for investors across the power value chain.

He said in the context in which the presentation was made, he only reaffirmed the tariff policy direction set out in the National Integrated Electricity Policy, finalised in December 2024 and approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2025, a long-standing, publicly available policy of gradually transitioning to cost-reflective tariffs, already implemented for ‘Band A’ electricity consumers. For all other consumer bands, he said there is no plan to remove subsidies as government is rather exploring how to deliver value and support more efficiently.

“The Special Adviser highlighted the Power Consumer Assistance Fund (PCAF), enabled by the Electricity Act 2023, as a mechanism for delivering targeted subsidies directly to vulnerable consumers through consumer electricity accounts or other identity-linked means, improving transparency and strengthening investor confidence.

“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the vital role journalists play in policy communication, which is why it supports platforms like Asharami Square, which has a stated aim of deepening journalists’ capacity to convey the full context of complex policy discussions to the public. Government counts on the continued support of the media in this important national duty,” the statement read in part.