Persistent power outages frustrate premium-paying band A electricity users

The recent collapse of Nigeria’s national grid has triggered extensive power outages across the country, deeply impacting Band A electricity customers—premium subscribers accustomed to at least 20 hours of supply daily.

Despite paying N206 per kWh, a cost-reflective tariff without subsidy, many in this category have reported a significant drop in service quality following the grid’s failure.

Band A customers represent about 15% of Nigeria’s 13 million registered electricity users, amounting to approximately 2 million subscribers.

They are entitled to nearly uninterrupted service as part of their high-cost subscription. However, recent disruptions have seen service levels fall to between 12 and 16 hours daily, as the grid struggles to regain full capacity after the latest failures.

“So far, the grid hasn’t reached its full capacity since its last collapse, so it’s expected users will see a reduction in their electricity supply for now,” said Mr. Seyi Ayotunde, an official from Ikeja Electric.

Customers have expressed dissatisfaction, feeling shortchanged by the disparity between the premium they pay and the service they receive.

“We hardly have up to 16 hours of light now. Since the grid collapsed, they don’t bring the light like they used to. Before, we used to have up to 22 to 23 hours of power supply, but that is no longer the case,” shared Mrs. Joyce Iraboh, a resident of Onipanu, Lagos.

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Mr. Ope, another Band A customer in Ogba, voiced similar frustrations: “I noticed the decline in electricity supply. We don’t usually have the 20-hour light they promised us. But we are expected to pay a premium as estimated billing.”

Even prepaid meter users, whose costs are based on consumption, have raised concerns, pointing out that the tariff implies a guarantee of stable power, which they are not receiving. This has forced many to resort to costly alternative energy sources like petrol and diesel generators.

Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has previously justified the higher tariffs by emphasizing the savings on generator fuel that Band A customers enjoy due to their typical 20-hour power supply. Yet, with the grid struggling to recover, customers now face increased expenses due to generator reliance.

David, a resident of Ojodu who works from home, shared his plight: “Imagine paying for premium electricity only for you to still have to rely on a generator to do your job. Fuel is expensive.”

Experts attribute the recurring grid failures to outdated infrastructure and inadequate investment in preventive measures.

“Restoration of the grid takes time. It depends on what causes the failure, such as power line tripping or vandalism, which complicates the process for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to reload power and distribute it,” explained Abiodun Sonekan, an energy specialist.

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Kingsley Effiong, a Lagos-based electricity consultant, pointed out that investment in critical infrastructure like the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system could prevent frequent collapses.

“The government must prioritize electricity supply now that alternative energy sources are very expensive. You can’t remove subsidies on petrol and electricity and still deny people light. How do you expect them to survive?” he stated.

Effiong emphasized that tariff increases should be preceded by substantial infrastructure investments to avoid recurrent failures.

Minister Adelabu has acknowledged that Nigeria requires at least $10 billion in investment to stabilize the power sector and ensure a 24-hour electricity supply. However, the power sector’s volatility makes it challenging to attract such funding.

Until then, Band A customers will likely continue paying premium rates without receiving the reliable service they have been promised.