By Milcah Tanimu

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has issued an apology to Nigerians for his previous remarks suggesting that they leave freezers on for extended periods due to the low electricity tariffs.

“We apologize for any offense caused,” Adelabu stated during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. His comments on April 4, 2024, had drawn criticism, as he implied that Nigerians lacked proper electricity management culture due to the affordability of power supply. Adelabu defended the tariff hike by citing the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which authorize the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to review tariffs biannually.

Addressing the concerns raised, Adelabu explained that reducing electricity subsidies was necessary due to budgetary constraints, aiming to allocate resources more effectively. He clarified that only a small percentage, approximately 15% of customers (around 1.5 million out of 12 million), would experience tariff increases, while the majority would continue to benefit from subsidies.

Emphasizing the importance of infrastructure enhancements for Band A customers to ensure more reliable service, Adelabu underscored the legality of the tariff review. He highlighted the provisions within the Electricity Act that allow for biannual tariff adjustments based on prevailing economic conditions.