The Federal Government has ruled out plans to increase electricity tariffs, assuring Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is prioritising improved and reliable power supply across the country.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, gave the assurance in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the groundbreaking ceremony for five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts and a 17.74-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
“I want to say this clearly and without ambiguity: there is no plan to increase electricity tariffs. What we are planning is a power sector that works around the clock. Our commitment is 24/7 power,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to disregard reports suggesting an impending tariff increase, insisting that the government’s focus was on delivering more dependable electricity.
The five projects are located in Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega. They are expected to provide electricity to communities across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas.
Tegbe said the Federal Government was implementing an energy strategy aimed at improving supply through designated energy corridors, including Lagos-Ogun, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt.
He added that efforts were also underway to strengthen the national grid and upgrade generation and transmission infrastructure across the eastern, western and central corridors.
According to the minister, the mini-grid initiative would expand electricity access in beneficiary communities, reduce dependence on generators and create a more favourable environment for businesses, investment and job creation.
He described the projects as part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that similar interventions had been implemented in communities across several states with support from the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
Tegbe commended Tinubu for his leadership and acknowledged the contributions of the REA, project developer Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the World Bank and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
He also recognised the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers and other stakeholders for their roles in facilitating the projects.
