Lagos Consumers Oppose DisCos' Resistance to Tariff Reform

Consumers in Lagos State have expressed strong opposition to electricity distribution companies (DisCos) for resisting the government's proposal to eliminate electricity band classifications. The Lagos State Government, represented by Minister Biodun Ogunleye, aims to phase out the current band tariff regime, which consumers argue exploits them during economic hardship.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission categorizes consumers based on daily electricity supply hours, with lower bands receiving subsidies despite inadequate supply. Adeola Samuel from the Electricity Consumers Protection Forum criticized DisCos for warning that removing the classification system without improving electricity generation could destabilize the market.

He accused the DisCos of benefiting from a system that fails to deliver improved electricity supply despite tariff increases. The consumers have previously challenged tariff increases in court, asserting that the service-based tariff system introduced during the COVID-19 lockdown was unfair and did not correspond with improved service delivery.