Many more Lagos residents to pay Band A electricity tariff

Band A electricity consumers typically pay ₦209.5/kWh, jerked up from about ₦70/kWh.

Adewole Ojo September 5, 2024

0 2 minutes read

Ikeja Electric, one of the two distribution companies that manages electricity in the Lagos area, has announced the movement of many more consumers to its Band A tariff.

Ikeja Electric has announced the movement of 23 neighbourhoods to Band A electricity tariff where they will now pay at least ₦209.5/kWh for power, with a promise to deliver 20 hours minimum daily of supply.

In a statement released yesterday, the company said the move was based on its ability to supply 20 hours of electricity per day to consumers in the tariff band.

Premised on our demonstrated ability to consistently provide a minimum of 20 hours of daily availability during a performance evaluation period monitored by the Regulator, we are pleased to announce that we have obtained approval to add 23 additional Band-A feeders to our network. Ikeja Electric remains committed to meeting the service delivery expectations of all our customers across various tariff bands as we continue to enhance network upgrades within our coverage areas, declared the DISCO.

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Band A electricity consumers typically pay ₦209.5/kWh, jerked up from about ₦70/kWh only a few months ago. The steep increase was premised on subsidy, which the minister of power claimed the government was paying and could no longer shoulder the responsibility. Nigerians were promised regular supply and will no longer need to generate their electricity via expensive means such as petrol and diesel generators, and indeed, solar energy.

Despite the significant hike in end-user tariffs, the grid remains the most cost-effective electricity source among the analysed options, says Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu while justifying the increase.

He adds that when we look at the average cost of generating electricity in our homes, businesses, industries it is actually cheaper with the increase in tariff than what we [used] to have because most (customers) that are enjoying more stable supply of electricity spend less on alternative source of electricity which is from fuel or diesel power generator.

That has been the case in the past two months for those [who] are in Band A.

Although customers groan under a Band A tariff plan, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu thinks they are better for it. [X - BayoAdelabu] — **Although customers groan under a Band-A tariff plan, the Federal Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu thinks they are better for it. [X – BayoAdelabu]**

The Band A tariff has been a bitter pill for many Nigerians burdened by the policies of the current government. The country has entered a hyperinflation phase, with food inflation at more than 40 percent. In the last two months, there has been frequent petrol scarcity, which got worse in the last two weeks.

Petrol at the pumps has moved from an average of ₦168/litre in May last year when the current government was inaugurated, to more than ₦900/litre Nigerians are currently experiencing.

See the list below whether you are now enjoying Band A tariff under Ikeja Electric.