The Lagos State Government says it is working toward phasing out the electricity band classification system as part of plans to improve power supply across the state.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, disclosed this during an inter-ministerial briefing on the achievements of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the energy sector.
Nigeria’s current electricity tariff structure places consumers in different bands based on estimated daily hours of power supply, with Band A customers expected to receive at least 20 hours of electricity daily at higher tariffs.
Responding to complaints from residents in Lagos communities classified under lower bands with poor supply, Ogunleye said the state wants to move beyond the system entirely.
“Part of what we are trying to enable is an environment that eliminates banding,” he said.
“Banding says that you have three, eight, 12 or 21 hours of light. We are saying, is it impossible to have continuous power supply?”
The commissioner added that the state government believes stable electricity is achievable in Lagos.
“I strongly believe that we can do it.
"We have seen it before in this city.
"Banding is not what we want to focus our attention on,” Ogunleye said.
The move comes amid growing public frustration over high electricity tariffs and worsening supply, especially among Band A customers who complain they are paying more without receiving promised service levels.
Lagos is also pushing for an independent electricity market and targeting an additional 2,000 megawatts of power through private sector partnerships and embedded generation projects.
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