The Federal Government has denied reports that it plans to increase electricity tariffs in 2027, saying its immediate focus is improving power supply and settling debts in the sector.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe made the clarification Monday in Abuja during a media briefing marking his first 100 days in office.
He said the government had no plan to increase tariffs.
“Let me categorically state, and this is not a political statement, we have no plan to increase electricity tariffs,” Tegbe said.
He added, “There is no immediate plan by this government to increase tariff.
"It is not on our table; it is not on our agenda.”
Tegbe said the government was instead working to address the financial problems affecting the electricity value chain.
He disclosed that about ₦1.23 trillion had been raised as part of efforts to tackle the sector’s estimated ₦3.3 trillion debt.
The minister said electricity generation and transmission had remained above 5,000 megawatts in recent weeks, compared with between 3,700MW and 4,700MW before June.
He said the government’s assessment of the sector found problems with gas supply, ageing power plants, transmission infrastructure and inadequate payments to generating companies.
Tegbe said the administration was focused on stabilising the market rather than placing additional costs on consumers.
“Our priority is not a tariff increase in the meantime.
"Our priority is service improvement, universal access, and ensuring Nigerians only pay for everything that they actually consume,” he said.
The government had earlier announced plans to end electricity subsidies from 2027, but Tegbe said that policy should not be interpreted as an immediate tariff increase.
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