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Nigerians Cry Out Over High Tariffs As Power Supply improves
However, alongside the improvements, many consumers decried the high electricity tariffs, which they described as unbearable.
Residents in some states complained that while supply had become relatively stable, the rising cost of power, especially for those on Band A, was eating deep into household and business finances.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission introduced the Service-Based Tariff regime in October 2023, categorising electricity consumers into five bands based on daily supply hours.
Band A customers are entitled to a minimum of 20 hours of power supply daily, Band B gets 16 hours, Band C 12 hours, Band D eight hours, and Band E four hours.
In April 2024, NERC approved a sharp tariff increase for Band A consumers, raising rates from about N66–N68 per kWh to N225 per kWh.
Band B also moved up slightly from N63 to N67 per kWh.
The Federal Government further promised that generation would hit 6,000MW by the end of 2024, but as of mid-2025, supply has fluctuated between 4,000MW and 5,000MW.
Improvement in Lagos
Residents in some parts of Lagos, including Agege, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Victoria Island, Kosofe, among others, have witnessed noticeable improvement in recent months.
A resident of Isale Oja, Agege, Asmau Ibrahim, confirmed that electricity had been more stable in the past few months.
But a trader in the area expressed frustration in paying what she described as “too much money” for the electricity supply.
“The light is stable but the money we pay at the end of the month is too much. The tariff is too high for us,” she said.
Another resident, Akeem Adeyemi, disclosed that he had to request the disconnection of electricity in his home after his building was classified under maximum demand consumers.
He described the tariff as unbearable.
Adeyemi said, “When they placed our building on maximum demand, the bills became too high. I could not cope, so I had to tell them to disconnect my house. Now, we had to fuel generator to power the building, which is lesser. Can you imagine that they gave us over N150,000 in a month for what we don’t use at all?”
A prominent member of the community, Rasheed Lawal, confirmed that electricity supply had improved in parts of Agege, though he acknowledged that challenges remained in areas yet to be metered.
A Lagos resident, Olatunde Jentry, while commenting on a Facebook post by another user, Kay Lord, said electricity had improved not only in Lagos but also in Ekiti.
“It is not only in Lagos. I have travelled home to Ekiti twice this year and there was light almost throughout the days I spent there. This last time I went, in June, there was no light the day I arrived because it was their day off. They told me the light went off at 6am and it was restored in the night, and didn’t blink again till I left on Sunday. They all testified that they enjoy light 24/7 now, except on the off-days which is about once in a week,” he wrote.
Bayelsa: Supply increased after towers repair
Residents of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said electricity supply improved after the state government restored vandalised transmission towers.
They, however, noted that the improvement was largely due to the intervention of the state government, not the Transmission Company of Nigeria or the distribution company.
A resident of Yenizue-Gene community, Bralado Nimi, expressed optimism for better power supply when the state-owned gas turbines are completed.
He said, “Electricity situation in Bayelsa has improved remarkably since the state government helped TCN to restore their vandalised towers that supply electricity to the state. But we are optimistic that as from next year, we will enjoy better power from the state-owned gas turbines which are nearing completion.”
Another resident, Lucky Nweke, a businessman in Swali community, said the improvement had impacted his business positively.
Nweke explained that prior to the improvement, he used to power his refrigerator with a generator which reduced his profits significantly.
But for about a month, he had been relying on the national grid as his area enjoyed over six hours of electricity daily.
“The improvement in electricity has helped my business because we enjoy more than six hours of power supply. It’s enough to cool my refrigerator. Before now, I used a petrol generator, which affected my profits,” he said.
Delta: Longer hours, reduced generator use
Similarly, residents of Warri and Effurun in Delta State said they had been receiving longer electricity supply in recent months.
A community leader in Effurun, Thompson Onyeama, confirmed there was noticeable improvement in electricity supply, urging the distribution company in the area to “keep up the good work.”
Onyeama said improved electricity supply would impact positively on industrial and economic activities in the state.
Similarly, a barbing salon operator at the Ginuwa Junction area of Warri, Edwin Omafuaire, said he now used less petrol to power his equipment because electricity was available for longer hours than before.
“I now procure less petrol because electricity is supplied for longer hours. We sometimes get up to eight continuous hours during the day,” he stated.
Ogun: Kudos, knocks for IBEDC
In Ogun, it is a mixture of praise and criticism for the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company over the state of power supply, even as the company disclosed that consumers in the state owed over N127bn.
While some residents acknowledged improvements in electricity, others lamented that their communities had yet to feel any change.
A resident of Idomila in Ijebu Ode, Abiodun Michael, said power had improved with supply sometimes lasting five days nonstop.
Similarly, a resident of Oke Ata, Abeokuta North, Sulaiman Fasasi, noted more stable supply averaging 15 hours daily, while Adedayo Olubunmi of Ilisan Remo said the improvement came with higher costs for those on Band A.
In contrast, residents of Onikolobo and Adigbe in Abeokuta decried epileptic supply, with a resident, Mrs Ope Gbadamosi, alleging that many had relocated due to poor electricity.
Also, a resident of Sagamu, Gbolagade Idowu, said some areas enjoyed better supply, but others such as Ogunyanwo and Ogijo had been in blackout for weeks.
The Adele of Sawonjo in Yewa North, Chief Muibi Mulero, stated that about 20 communities, including Igbogila, Imasayi, Ijoun, Oja Odan and others, had been in darkness for nearly three years, a situation he described as devastating for businesses in the axis.
However, the Public Relations Officer of IBEDC, Ogun Region, Yomi Bada, said the company was aware of the challenges and assured that efforts were underway to restore supply.
He explained that the mainline for Sawonjo and other affected communities had been completed, with full restoration expected before December.
Bada further identified vandalism, electricity theft and the debt burden as major obstacles to improved supply, adding that the company required over 1,000 transformers and other facilities to meet demand.
Akwa Ibom: Relative improvement
In Akwa Ibom, officials of Ibom Power described electricity supply as “relative.”
Speaking in an interview with one of our correspondents in Uyo, the company’s Director of Media, Peter Dada, explained that supply improvement depended on the band classification of each customer.
He said power supply in the state wouldn’t be uniform because of band differences, especially with the peculiarity of Akwa Ibom that relies on the Aba-Itu Transmission Line, which often trips off.
A community leader in Mbiabong village in Itu LGA, Ubong Umoh, also described the power supply in the state as relative, noting that while some areas enjoyed better service, others did not.
He said, “Here in Mbiabong, we have fair power supply but this is not the same in other parts of the state. I go to Uyo always; power supply there is not the same in our community.”
Also, a resident of Abak Road, Uyo, Inibasi Umo, described the power supply in the axis as fair compared to previous years.
She said, “In previous years, we don’t normally have light for days but the situation has changed a little. Now, we have power every night and they take it in the morning. Sometimes, they bring it back in the afternoon for about three hours. It wasn’t like this before, so the power supply situation is fair now.”
Another resident in the Uyo metropolis, Christian Etim, echoed the same sentiment.
Osun: Band A customers enjoy supply
In Osun State, electricity supply remains uneven as residents of major towns in the state said there had not been serious improvement in their communities.
A businessman in Olaiya, Ade Olagunju, and a resident of GRA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, both said their areas enjoyed constant supply due to their classification.
“We are on Band A in Olaiya Area. Because of that, we enjoy relatively regular power supply. But at times, we may have issues with the transformer supplying us. But the situation is not the same across the town,” Olagunju said.
But a resident of Ayekale area of the state capital, Rasheed Akintade, said his area, classified as Band C, had not been having regular power supply.
He said, “We have less than seven hours daily. Sometimes, there is no power in the day, and they restore it only at midnight. The situation is bad.”
Speaking in a similar vein, a cross section of residents of Ikire, Ede Road in Ile-Ife, Oke Afo in Ikirun, and Odo-Ori in Iwo lamented irregular power supply in their communities and demanded urgent intervention from the relevant authorities.
Abuja: Residents lament declining supply
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, decried the poor electricity supply by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, lamenting that despite an increase in tariffs, they barely received up to 10 hours of power daily.
Findings by Saturday PUNCH revealed that electricity supply was considerably better in the previous year, when households enjoyed up to 15 hours daily, compared to the present decline.
Investigations further showed that recurrent vandalism of power lines, intermittent blackouts for maintenance, faulty feeders, and national grid collapses were among the major factors that shaped Abuja’s power situation in the last eight months.
Between January 6 and 20, the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the AEDC announced a two-week blackout, running daily from 9am to 4pm, to allow for the relocation of eight transmission towers along the Apo axis for a road dualisation project.
While both TCN and AEDC have made efforts to restore supply, residents insisted that there had been no visible improvement when compared to last year.
A petty trader in Kubwa, Mistura Abu, lamented the impact of erratic supply on her business.
She said, “I remember there was a time when the AEDC announced a three-week blackout. There was no light between 9am and 4pm daily. Unfortunately, those are supposed to be the most productive hours of the day. I had to buy ice blocks to preserve food in my freezer, and the price went up because sellers relied on generators. Even now, supply only comes at night, which is of little use to us.”
Another Kubwa resident, Oche Adejoh, said his community had been without electricity for seven days due to a faulty transformer.
“I go to another street to charge my devices. Even before the transformer failed, supply was irregular—barely from 12pm to 3pm, then again from midnight to 6am. That’s less than 10 hours combined,” he added.
A youth community leader In Karu, Emmanuel Gyan, admitted they enjoyed relatively better supply but at high costs.
“Most of us here are on Band A, and this is not even a GRA. People pay as much as N2,000 per kilowatt-hour. To be fair, we get about 14 hours of supply, but the tariff is unbearable.
For those unmetered, the situation is worse. We’ve protested several times to no avail,” he said.
Source: PUNCH
The Federal Government has announced 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into universities and nursing schools across the country.
The decision was reached during the policy meeting on admissions organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with stakeholders in the education sector.
According to the government, candidates seeking admission into universities and nursing institutions are expected to score at least 150 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to qualify for consideration.
The meeting also reviewed admission guidelines for polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions as part of efforts to maintain standards in the nation’s education system.
Stakeholders at the meeting urged institutions to ensure transparency and fairness in their admission processes while advising candidates to strictly adhere to admission requirements.
Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha has continued to distinguish himself not only as a grassroots politician but as a sound parliamentarian who clearly understands the true essence of legislative representation and public service.
Since emerging as the Member representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Umeha has consistently demonstrated capacity, vision, and commitment both on the floor of the National Assembly and within his constituency.
Unlike many politicians whose promises disappear after elections, Rt. Hon. Umeha has steadily transformed his campaign mantra, “Go and Verify,” into practical realities visible across communities in Ezeagu and Udi Federal Constituency.
From road construction to solar-powered streetlights, classroom projects, healthcare interventions, agricultural empowerment, scholarships, boreholes, and youth development programmes, his stewardship has remained rooted in service delivery and measurable impact.
Observers say one of the strongest qualities that separates Umeha from many lawmakers is his deep understanding of parliamentary responsibilities. Through strategic bills and motions, he has continued to show that representation goes beyond rhetoric and political appearances.
Among several notable legislative efforts, he sponsored bills seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition in Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency, reforms in the education sector through the abolition of levies in public basic schools, mandatory insurance protection for NYSC members, and the establishment of a National Football Academy.
He also sponsored motions addressing critical national concerns, including the investigation into the gruesome killing of Nigerians by soldiers in Enugu State and the urgent completion of the Karshi/Apo Road project in Abuja to ease traffic congestion.
Political analysts note that these interventions reflect a lawmaker who understands that effective representation must combine constituency development with strong legislative advocacy.
Many constituents equally commend him for remaining faithful to the promises he made during his campaigns. Across the constituency, residents point to completed and ongoing projects as evidence that the lawmaker has not reneged on his commitments to the people.
Beyond governance and legislative duties, Rt. Hon. Umeha also played significant roles in efforts aimed at restoring sanity, stability, and internal cohesion within the Labour Party before his eventual defection to the APC.
Sources within the political space in Enugu State revealed that Umeha consistently pushed for peace, unity, and institutional order within the party during periods of internal crisis and leadership disagreements. His interventions were said to be driven by the desire to protect the interests of party members and preserve the integrity of the platform.
However, following prolonged internal challenges and unresolved structural issues within the Labour Party, the federal lawmaker eventually moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a decision many political observers described as strategic and inevitable.
Despite the political transition, supporters insist that his focus has remained unchanged — delivering quality representation, empowering constituents, and sustaining developmental projects across Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency.
For many residents, Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha represents a rare blend of grassroots leadership, legislative competence, humility, and political responsibility.
And across the constituency, the verdict from many communities remains simple:
“He promised, and he delivered.”
Today, Friday 8 May 2026, Chief Sir Paul Chukwuma (Onwa Umueri) laid his beloved sister, Late Mrs Christiana Amaka Okeke to rest in a solemn but dignified ceremony.
A large number of family and friends gathered in Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area for her burial.
It was a solemn yet beautiful celebration of a life well lived, one marked by grace, resilience, and strong family values. The Funeral Mass was officiated by His Emience, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpalaeke, The Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese.
In a heartfelt family tribute, Chief Sir Paul Chukwuma shared that her sister “it is indeed well with your soul and has gone to rest with the Lord,” expressing profound grief over the irreplaceable loss of a beloved sibling who played a significant role in their family. He prayed for God to grant her His mercy and reward her with Beatic Vision. He opined that they as a family will continue from where she stopped. Our Hope in God and Believe in the resurrection of the dead and communion of the saints will spur them on as they continue to place all their hopes in God who made Heaven and Earth.
The Funeral and Burial Ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries including Her Excellency Senator Dr Iyom Uche Ekwunife, APC State Chairman, Most Distinguished Senator Emma Anosike, Chief Uzoma Igbonwa (Okeife Alor), YPP Deputy Governorship Candidate 2025 Governorship Election, His Excellency, Chief Uzu Okagbue, Former Nigeria Ambassador to Burundi, His Excellency, Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba (Ozonkpu Ike Enuguwu-Ukwu N’Umunri, Dr Oby Orah, Executive Director FAAN, Prof Charles Esimone, Former Vice Chancellor Unizik, Chief Hon Raph Okeke, Barr CJ Chinwuba, Hon Chizo Obidigwe, Hon JC Okeke (Deputy Chairman ,APC Anambra State, chief Anthony Obiazie (Ichie Ide), Onwa Lento Aluminium.
Others are The Vice Chancellor of Benue State University and Members of the Governing Council, the Rector Anambra State Polytechnic,Dr Njideka Rita Chiekezie, Hon Obi Henry APC State secretary, Hon Ify Nwachukwu (Ada Onowu), Prof Jaja Nwanegbo, and several other respected leaders from the political, traditional, and religious communities.
Late Mrs Christiana Amaka Okeke died after Major Brain Tumour Surgery in Germany, aged 44 years. May the soul of Late Mrs Christiana Amaka Okeke rest in perfect peace, and may God grant the entire Chukwuma of Umueri and Okeke family of Ogboji, the strength and comfort to bear this irreparable loss.
*Videos and Photos Speak:*
*(C) Paschal Candle.*
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Gubernatorial candidate Mr John Nwosu and running mate of the African Democratic Congress ADC in Anambra state Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu have stated that despite the deoature of Mr Peter Obi, and Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,the party is still intact and would run it’s full course in the 2027 general election.
The duo however lamented that the deoature of Obi is indeed painful but was quick to add that the party must forge ahead .
He said as leaders, Obi and Kwankwaso and other key chieftains of the ADC who suddenly left to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) would have waited to resolve the problems the ADC is facing when it mattered most rather than taking a swift to another fold.
Chief Nwobu bared his mind and feelings of other stakeholders of the ADC while briefing newsmen shortly after the ADC Anambra Leadership Consultative Meeting held on Friday in Awka the state capital.
He noted with nostalgia that the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi could have shown restraint and commitment in the ADC even in face of the party’s plethora of litigations pending before different courts than leaving it unceremoniously with others.
He vowed that despite the development, leaders and members of the State chapter of the ADC are resolute to take the full circle of the electoral battle ahead of next year’s general elections and would get to it to successfully.
Accorisng to him, the National leadership of the party was not given the opportunity to settle down even less than 24 hours before the supreme Court judgment on Thursday last week when news about the detection of those who left the party rented the air waves up till Friday and Saturday same week and finally on Sunday when the news was finally blown to the entire world.
Nwobu disclosed that the opposition ADC in the state at the moment parades about nine House of Representatives and six State House of Assembly aspirants who have bought nomination forms to contest the 2027 elections while more have indicated interest to join the epical race.
The ADC stalwart further maintained that all those who indicated interest to contest the various positions are greatly prepared to run the race with high morals.
“We feel pains that these people left the party (ADC); definitely it’s going to affect the gains of the party. There’s no point saying every other thing. That having been said I am telling you that those who remain in the party are resolute and prepared to run the course.
He said the ADC Anambra Leadership Consultative Meeting reaffirm loyalty and support to the National leadership under David Mark as national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary.
Nwobu who was flanked by Hon. Christian Okeke, Ven. Chris Orajekwe and Arch. Afam Moma, Samuel Ikefuna, and Reginald Akunekwe and Ben Chuks Nwosu said “the state leaders reaffirm loyalty and support of the ADC Anambra state to the National leadership headed by Senator David Mark and His Excellency Rauf Aregbesola.”
“The meeting resolved to commend the founding chairman of the ADC Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu for the exemplary show of representing the ADC platform as an umbrella body for the coalition and his selfless role In navigating the coalition to it’s fruition.”
“And we wish to affirm that the ADC’s best is from Anambra state and Anambra state will not be found wanting in the efforts of the party to achieve success during the 2027 general elections,” he said.
“For our brothers who has moved on tp other platform, we wish them well. I look forward to a day we will all join hands together to salvage this country,” Nwobu stated.
He explained further that no new leadership has been Inaugurated in Anambra,adding that that it’s unnecessary for somebody to say he or she has resigned as the party is still contending on issues of offices, conduct of Congresses at the Federal High court.
Chief Nwobu stated that the Inauguration of officials elected at Congresses across the states would be made on the 11th of this month.
By Chinedu Sabastine
The Enugu State Government, in partnership with the South Sahara Social Development Organisation (SSDO), has intensified efforts to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation (DRM) as part of broader strategies to boost climate finance and promote responsive budgeting.
The initiative aligns with the administration’s climate policy framework, which emphasises sustainable development, a green economic transition, and improved fiscal planning.
This was disclosed during a two-day stakeholders’ dialogue on domestic resource mobilisation for climate-responsive budgeting held at Sylvia Hotel, Independence Layout, Enugu and funded by ActionAid Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Director of Climate Change in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Nnamdi Arum, said the state has integrated climate considerations across its projects and programmes.
According to him, while Enugu continues to benefit from international funding support, deliberate steps are being taken to strengthen internally generated resources for climate initiatives.
“Climate change has been prioritised across ministries in Enugu State. Most projects are now designed with green considerations in mind,” Arum said.
He commended Governor Peter Mbah for appointing Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke as Special Adviser on Climate Change, noting that his leadership has helped translate climate policies into actionable programmes.
Arum added that the government is actively engaging diverse groups, including youths and persons with disabilities, to ensure inclusive climate policy development.
On funding gaps, he acknowledged that despite progress, external support remains crucial particularly in the agricultural sector to enhance food security and affordability.
In his remarks, Research Policy Officer with SSDO, Okechukwu Ajah, said the dialogue aimed to bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation.
He noted that although Enugu has domesticated its climate policy and action plan, challenges such as weak inter-ministerial coordination and the absence of clear climate budget tagging persist.
“Many agencies still operate in silos, and there is no distinct climate imprint in budgeting across ministries. This affects ownership and effective implementation of climate policies,” Ajah said.
He expressed optimism that the engagement would yield practical, implementable recommendations, stressing the need to move from theory to action.
Ajah also highlighted the importance of youth inclusion in climate discussions, describing young people as critical stakeholders in shaping sustainable futures.
One of the participants, Chidera Ekoh, described the dialogue as insightful, noting that it provided practical knowledge on addressing climate challenges.
“Climate change is already impacting our economy. This programme has equipped us with the knowledge to prioritise challenges and mobilise resources effectively,” Ekoh said
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