The Menace of Rising Electricity Bills Without Commensurate Service Deliver,---By Tunde Eso

In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a concerning rise in utility bills, particularly electricity charges, despite the country's notorious struggles with unreliable power supply. For many Nigerians, the disconnect between what they are billed and the quality of service they receive has become a growing source of frustration. The situation has highlighted systemic inefficiencies in the country's power sector, as well as broader challenges in governance and infrastructure development.

Nigeria's power supply has long been a subject of public dissatisfaction. The country’s electricity grid is frail and frequently subject to disruptions, with frequent power outages that can last for hours or even days. Despite Nigeria’s vast energy resources, including natural gas, hydroelectric, and even renewable sources, the country struggles to provide consistent electricity to its citizens.

Power generation in Nigeria hovers around 5,000 megawatts (MW), which is inadequate for a population of over 200 million people. This disparity has left millions of Nigerians to rely on alternative sources of power, including generators and inverters, to power their homes and businesses. This reliance on private power generation comes with its own set of challenges, such as high fuel costs, maintenance issues, and environmental concerns.

Despite the frequent blackouts and intermittent power supply, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has implemented tariff hikes, raising electricity prices for consumers. These hikes, meant to help electricity distribution companies (DisCos) remain financially viable and improve service delivery, have instead sparked outrage among Nigerians who feel they are being asked to pay more for subpar service.

In many areas, consumers report receiving inflated bills, even when there has been no power supply for days. This issue, known as "estimated billing," arises when electricity meters are either faulty, not installed, or not read regularly. Many Nigerians have complained about being charged for power they never used, with the DisCos often failing to provide transparent billing or reliable readings.

The rising electricity bills, paired with the irregular supply, put an immense financial strain on ordinary Nigerians. For many households and small businesses, electricity constitutes a significant portion of monthly expenses. The costs of running generators and maintaining alternative power sources further escalate these expenses. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are vital to Nigeria's economy, are particularly hard hit, as they depend on constant power to stay competitive and meet customer demands.

In addition, Nigerians are grappling with inflation and a struggling economy, making it even harder for the average citizen to absorb the increased utility bills. These price hikes, while justified by the government as necessary for the sustainability of the power sector, are causing further hardship for the population.

The government has acknowledged the difficulties that Nigerians face in relation to energy bills, and some steps have been taken to address the crisis. The introduction of prepaid meters, which allow consumers to pay only for the power they consume, was intended to address the issue of estimated billing. However, progress has been slow, and many Nigerians still lack access to these meters. As a result, the issue of overbilling continues to persist.

Furthermore, the government has promised investments in the power sector to increase generation, improve transmission infrastructure, and ensure more stable power distribution. However, these promises have yet to result in significant improvements. Many citizens remain skeptical, given the long history of underperformance and corruption within the sector.

To tackle the issue of rising bills amidst poor power supply, a multi-faceted approach is needed. First and foremost, the government must focus on improving the reliability and efficiency of the national grid. Investments in infrastructure, including the repair and upgrading of power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks, are essential for ensuring that power is delivered consistently.

There also needs to be greater transparency in billing practices. The widespread issue of estimated billing must be addressed through the faster rollout of prepaid meters, and the process of billing must be standardized and audited regularly. This will help restore consumer confidence in the power sector and ensure that people are only paying for what they actually consume.

Finally, the government should explore alternative energy solutions, such as solar power, which could help alleviate the pressure on the national grid. Providing incentives and subsidies for the adoption of renewable energy sources could help reduce the cost burden on consumers and decrease the country's dependence on erratic power supply.

Research revealed that, in 2024,  over 86 million Nigerians still lack access to electricity, the highest number in the world; businesses and households with access to the national grid have faced unreliable and insufficient supply, a gap often filled with power from petrol and diesel-run generator sets that are costly and highly polluting to people and the environment. Here are some other facts about electricity access in Nigeria: In 2022, 60.5% of the population had access to electricity. The electricity access rate in urban areas is 89.2%, while in rural areas it's 26.3%. 

Nigeria's power sector faces many challenges, including: 

Inadequate power generation capacity ,transmission and distribution bottlenecks, sub-optimal pricing and subsidies 

operational inefficiencies of the distribution companies, regulatory uncertainties and policy inconsistencies. To ensure universal access to electricity, countries like Nigeria need to: Focus on improved data collection, use modern analytical tools to track progress, and make data-driven decisions. 

The increase in electricity bills in Nigeria, to mension few state and area, Ogun State and Lagos State which are the most industrial states in Nigeria in some areas of Sango Ota, Ado Odo, Surulere, Ijegun, Ijagemo, Epe, Victoria Island and more Electricity Organizations do makes payment bill compulsory, despite the absence of reliable power supply, is emblematic of the broader challenges faced by the country’s energy sector. The mismatch between the cost of service and the quality of service has become a significant source of dissatisfaction among Nigerians. While the government has made attempts to address the problem, substantial reform and investment in the energy sector are needed to ensure that Nigerians are no longer asked to pay for services they do not receive. Until these issues are addressed, the rising cost of living and the burden on consumers will continue to be a significant concern for many Nigerians.

Ultimately, the solution lies in a comprehensive overhaul of the sector, focusing on infrastructure development, efficient power generation, transparent billing systems, and better regulation. Only then can Nigeria hope to be achieve d by extending the happiness of citizenship. 

•Tunde Eso, Professional Trainer, Teacher, Public Relations Expert, and Inventor of Youthocracy and Visionocracy - new system of governments. He can be reached through: tundeeso8@gmail.com; 08038272210.