*The Nigeria Labour Congress rejects ‘forceful migration’ of electricity consumers from lower bands B and C feeders to Band A, describing the proposal as a ‘systematic exploitation’ of Nigerian consumers, and ‘economic violence’ against the working class and broader populace

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Describing the planned electricity tariff adjustments as a “systematic exploitation” of Nigerian consumers, and “economic violence” against the working class and broader populace, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the Federal Government’s latest proposal to “regularise” electricity tariffs Bands A, B and C feeders consumers.

Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Honourable Minister for Power, last Thursday, in a presentation, in Abuja, FCT, said lower bands B and C feeder electricity consumers would be upgraded to Band A soon.

The Labour Union, in a communique issued Sunday, March 2, 2025, after the National Executive Council (NEC), in Yola, Adamawa State capital, however, did not align with the government on the proposed move.

The NLC rather vowed to lead mass nationwide protests across Nigeria, should the Federal Government continue with its plan on power tariff regularisation.

Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of NLC, in the communique stated the Labour Union rejected the 鈥渇orceful migration鈥� of consumers from lower bands to Band A.

The communiqu茅 noted: 鈥淥n the Migration of Electricity Consumers with a view to increasing tariff: NEC unequivocally rejects the ongoing sham reclassification of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which seeks to forcefully migrate consumers from lower bands to Band A under the guise of service improvement while, in reality, imposing unjustified extortion on the masses.

鈥淭his systematic exploitation, sanctioned by the Ministry of Power, is nothing short of economic violence against the working class and broader Nigerian populace.”

The NLC also stated: 鈥淚t is evident that the ruling elite, acting as enforcers of global monopoly capital, are determined to further deepen the misery of the Nigerian people through incessant tariff hikes, increased taxation, and relentless economic strangulation.

鈥淲hereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable, the ruling class continues to transfer the burden of their fiscal irresponsibility onto the already impoverished working masses.”

Ugboaja said: 鈥淣EC-in-session warns that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases will be met with mass resistance.

鈥淐onsequently, the Congress resolves to immediately mobilise for a nationwide protest should the Ministry of Power and NERC proceed with their exploitative plan to further hike electricity tariffs under any guise.”

The Labour said: “The NLC shall not stand idly by while the Nigerian people are subjected to the unholy machinations of capitalist profiteers and their state collaborators.鈥�

It is recalled the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in 2024, approved the upward review of electricity prices with a unit of power costing about N250 for Band A customers.

Subsequently, the costs of petrol and diesel, which are readily available alternatives, have equally increased by fivefold.

The energy situation is said to have compounded the dilemma of Nigerian consumers in recent times.

In the same year, NERC granted at least some State鈥檚 Electrify Regulatory Commissions, including Lagos State, licences to power plants and power distribution.

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