NLC Threatens Nationwide Protest Against Proposed Power Tariff Hike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s proposed electricity tariff hike, warning of a mass protest if the plan moves forward. The NLC describes the proposed increase as “economic violence” against the working class and the wider Nigerian population. The union’s threat comes as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) also voices its opposition to the hike, asserting that Nigerians should not be forced to pay for unreliable power services.
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At its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, on February 28, 2025, the NLC issued a stern warning. The union rejected the “sham reclassification” of electricity consumers proposed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), accusing the Ministry of Power and NERC of trying to push consumers into higher tariff bands under the guise of service improvement. According to the NLC, this move would only exacerbate the economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.
The communiqué issued by the NEC highlighted concerns about the ruling elite’s alleged role in exacerbating the suffering of the Nigerian people through repeated tariff hikes, rising taxes, and economic policies that further tighten the screws on the working class. The union vowed to launch nationwide protests to resist any attempts to impose higher electricity tariffs. The NLC’s National Administrative Council has been tasked with mobilizing workers for these protests, urging the government not to test the patience of the people.
In addition to the electricity tariff concerns, the NLC also criticized the recent 35 percent increase in telecommunications tariffs. While acknowledging an agreement to reduce an earlier proposed 50 percent increase, the union remains skeptical about the government’s commitment to the agreement, warning that it would hold the government accountable if it reneges on its promises.
The NLC emphasized that Nigerian workers should not bear the brunt of inefficiencies within both corporate and governmental sectors, calling for urgent action to address systemic failures.
The NLC’s stance on electricity tariffs has received strong backing from workers in the power sector, particularly the NUEE. The electricity workers’ union denounced the government’s reclassification proposal as an exploitative scheme designed to force Nigerians to pay higher tariffs without any tangible improvement in service delivery. The NUEE has vowed to resist any increase in tariffs, warning that it would disrupt the sector if the government presses ahead with the plan.
The NUEE has also expressed concern over comments made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, regarding the planned regularization of electricity tariffs. The minister stated that the move is intended to address billing disparities and attract more investments into the power sector. However, the NUEE has questioned the prioritization of tariff hikes over the urgent need for improvement in the sector’s infrastructure.
The union also took issue with the rationale provided for last year’s tariff hike, which the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) argued was necessary to address the financial liquidity issues of the power sector. The NLC and NUEE both argue that rather than increasing tariffs, the government should focus on improving the efficiency and reliability of the electricity sector to provide better service at affordable prices.
The proposed tariff hike would see customers in Bands B and C paying the same rate (N206/KWh) as customers in Band A, which is already paid by the top 15 percent of electricity consumers who use 40 percent of the nation’s electricity. Both power consumers and members of the private sector have expressed concern over the continued rise in costs across multiple sectors, arguing that these increases are further straining the already struggling Nigerian populace.
While acknowledging the financial difficulties facing the power sector, critics argue that the government’s focus should be on alleviating the impact of these challenges on ordinary Nigerians rather than exacerbating the poverty levels. As protests loom on the horizon, the government faces mounting pressure to reconsider the tariff hikes and seek more sustainable solutions for the country’s power sector.
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NLC Threatens Nationwide Protest Against Proposed Power Tariff Hike