Nigerian workers are gearing up for a fight against the federal government’s plan to increase electricity tariffs. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to mobilize citizens for nationwide protests, calling the proposed hike “economic violence against the working class and the broader Nigerian population.”
Their frustration is echoed by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), which has warned that Nigerians should not be forced to pay more for electricity when many already experience persistent power outages.
In a statement following its National Executive Council meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, on February 28, 2025, the NLC strongly rejected what it described as a “sham reclassification” of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The union accused NERC and the Ministry of Power of attempting to push consumers into higher tariff bands under the guise of improving service, while in reality worsening financial hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
The Congress expressed deep frustration over what it sees as a pattern of economic decisions that make life harder for Nigerians. The congress argued that successive governments have repeatedly increased taxes, hiked tariffs, and made policies that benefit corporations and global monopolies at the expense of everyday people.
“The ruling elite seem determined to deepen the misery of Nigerian citizens through relentless economic policies that prioritize profits over people,” the statement read.
In response, the NLC’s leadership has begun mobilizing workers and the general public, warning that any attempt to implement a tariff hike will be met with widespread protests.
The frustration extends beyond electricity tariffs. The NLC also criticized the government for its recent decision to increase telecommunications tariffs by 35%. While the union acknowledged that negotiations led to a reduction from the initially proposed 50% hike, it remains skeptical of the government’s commitment to keeping its promises.
The congress has warned that if the telecom tariff increase takes effect on March 1, 2025, in violation of the agreed terms, it will take necessary actions to challenge it.
Workers in the electricity sector have also voiced their opposition to the proposed changes. The NUEE described the tariff reclassification as an exploitative move designed to make Nigerians pay more without seeing any real improvement in power supply.
Their concerns stem from a recent statement by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who said the government planned to regularize electricity tariffs across Bands A, B, and C to attract more investment in the power sector. However, the electricity workers’ union questioned whether increasing tariffs should be the government’s priority when power supply remains unreliable.
The acting General Secretary of NUEE, Dominic Igwebike, emphasized that before any tariff increase is considered, the government must first address the inefficiencies plaguing the power sector. “It is appalling that instead of tackling the root causes of Nigeria’s electricity problems, the government is more focused on raising tariffs and worsening economic hardship,” he stated.
Under the proposed plan, electricity customers in Bands B and C would see their tariffs align with the N206/KWh rate currently paid by Band A customers. However, this proposal has been met with widespread opposition from power consumers and businesses, who argue that continuous price increases across various sectors of the economy are pushing more Nigerians into financial distress.
As the government moves forward with its plans, tensions are rising, with labor unions and ordinary citizens preparing to resist what they see as an unfair economic burden. The coming weeks may determine whether the planned tariff hike proceeds—or whether mass protests will force a rethink.
