The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to rally workers and citizens for a nationwide demonstration if the Federal Government implements its planned electricity tariff increase, labeling it as “economic aggression” against workers and the wider Nigerian population. This stance was echoed by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), which cautioned the government against raising tariffs, arguing that Nigerians should not be charged for inadequate power supply.
Following its National Executive Council meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, on February 28, 2025, the NLC issued a statement on Sunday rejecting the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) “deceptive reclassification” of electricity users. The NLC accused the Ministry of Power and NERC of pushing consumers into higher tariff categories under the guise of enhancing services, while actually worsening economic difficulties. The statement criticized the ruling class for acting as agents of global capitalism, intent on intensifying Nigerians’ struggles through continuous tariff increases, heavier taxes, and unyielding economic pressure.
The NLC’s leadership declared that any move to raise electricity tariffs would face widespread opposition, instructing its National Administrative Council to immediately begin organizing protests and cautioning the government against provoking the public. The NLC also raised concerns about a recent 35 percent hike in telecommunications tariffs, reduced from an initial 50 percent proposal after negotiations with the government. However, it expressed doubts about the government’s reliability and warned that any violation of the agreed terms, effective March 1, 2025, would prompt the union to take action to ensure compliance.
The NLC stressed that Nigerian workers should not suffer due to inefficiencies in government and corporate operations. This position was supported by power sector workers, who also opposed the consumer reclassification, calling it an exploitative scheme to extract more money without improving services. The NUEE promised to resist tariff hikes and hinted at potential disruptions if the government moved forward.
The union was responding to comments from Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, who revealed plans to standardize tariffs across Bands A, B, and C to address billing inconsistencies and attract investment. The NUEE questioned the minister’s focus, suggesting he might be overstepping into NERC’s regulatory role. Acting General Secretary Dominic Igwebike emphasized the union’s duty to address the issue, challenging the minister’s claim that tariff hikes were essential for sector liquidity amid ongoing challenges.
The NUEE recalled NERC’s 2024 justification that tariff increases only applied to Band A customers—15 percent of users consuming 40 percent of electricity—claiming the broader public would be unaffected. However, the union countered that the public, as end-users, would bear the indirect burden through higher costs passed on by Band A consumers, further straining their already limited purchasing power. It urged the minister to prioritize improving power sector efficiency over tariff adjustments.
Reports indicate Adelabu’s proposal aims to align Band B and C tariffs with Band A’s N206/KWh rate. Yet, this plan has drawn criticism from power consumers and the Organised Private Sector, who question the government’s persistent increases in commodity prices across multiple sectors.
