N8 Billion Electricity Bill Education Campaign
In what critics are calling a questionable use of public funds, the Federal Government plans to spend a staggering N8 billion on educating Nigerians about paying electricity bills in 2025. The controversial announcement came during a budget defense session at the National Assembly’s joint committee on power.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, attempted to justify this massive expenditure by suggesting that Nigerians need “re-education” about prompt bill payments. The proposed campaign, set to run across social media, digital platforms, and newspapers, raises serious questions about fiscal responsibility and transparency in public spending.
While defending the ministry’s budget, Adelabu emphasized that electricity infrastructure represents national assets requiring public support. However, the minister failed to address how spending N8 billion on awareness campaigns would improve the persistent issues plaguing Nigeria’s power sector, including irregular supply and controversial estimated billing practices.
Tax watchdogs and public policy experts are questioning whether such an expensive public relations campaign represents value for money, particularly when many Nigerians struggle with unreliable power supply and high tariffs. The allocated sum could potentially fund significant infrastructure improvements or subsidize electricity costs for vulnerable communities.
The ministry has yet to provide a detailed breakdown of how these billions will be spent, leaving taxpayers in the dark about the specific allocation of their money. This lack of transparency has fueled speculation about the potential misuse of public funds under the guise of public education.
At a time when many Nigerians face economic hardships, the decision to spend N8 billion on what essentially amounts to a marketing campaign has sparked debate about the government’s priorities in the power sector reform agenda.
Reference
FG Proposes N8 Billion Budget to Educate Nigerians on Electricity Bill