The Electricity Consumer Protection Advocacy Centre (ECPAC) has raised concerns over the Ministry of Power’s recent claim that over 40% of Nigerians now receive up to 20 hours of electricity daily.
The statement, made by Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu on Sunday, was met with skepticism from consumer advocates who believe the data lacks transparency and accuracy.
Adelabu credited the improvements to reforms initiated by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stating, “We generate over 5,500 megawatts of power, and over 40% of customers today enjoy over 20 hours of regular power supply across the nation.”
However, ECPAC’s Executive Director, Chief Princewill Okorie, described the minister’s claims as “laughable” and questioned the credibility of the statistics.
“Where are the reports from the 36 states?” Okorie asked, emphasizing the need for data that reflects the experiences of electricity consumers across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
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Okorie called for the establishment of a consumer protection department within the Ministry of Power to gather accurate data on electricity supply. He argued that the ministry should focus on resolving consumer complaints rather than issuing questionable statistics.
Despite the minister’s announcement of infrastructure improvements and the recent signing of the Electricity Act of 2023, which aims to decentralize the sector, ECPAC remains unconvinced. The organization insists that more robust consumer engagement and real-time data are needed to assess the actual state of electricity supply.
In his remarks, Adelabu outlined the ministry’s achievements, including the rise in installed generation capacity from 13,000MW to over 14,000MW, driven by new hydroelectric power plants and upgrades to existing facilities. He emphasized the critical role of stable electricity in driving economic growth, comparing Nigeria’s electricity aspirations to the development seen in countries like South Korea, China, and North America.
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Adelabu also highlighted the ministry’s vision of providing stable power to households, businesses, and institutions, stating, “This will enable them to power their activities, improve their capacity, and create more jobs.” The minister expressed optimism about ongoing initiatives, such as the Presidential Metering Initiative, which aims to install over 10 million meters within five years.
Despite these efforts, consumer advocates continue to push for greater transparency, urging the government to prioritize real-world solutions to Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
