General
FG Denies Plans to Increase Electricity Tariffs by 65%
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian government has denied reports of an imminent 65 per cent increase in electricity tariffs, clarifying that the claim was a misrepresentation of recent statements on power sector reforms.
Bloomberg reported on Monday that electricity tariffs to reflect the actual cost of production, some Nigerians might need to pay over 65 per cent of what they are currently paying for a kilowatt/hour of electricity.
“Nigeria’s power prices need to rise by about two-thirds for many customers to reflect the cost of supplying it,” Bloomberg quoted the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Ms Olu Verheijen, yesterday.
Ms Verheijen took to her official X handle to clarify that she was misquoted out of context by Bloomberg, noting that while there was an adjustment in Band A tariffs in 2024, the new rates only cover 65 per cent of the actual cost of electricity supply, with the government continuing to subsidize the difference.
“The immediate focus of the government is not tariff hikes but delivering more electricity to Nigerians, reducing outages, and protecting the poorest and most vulnerable citizens,” Ms Verheijen said.
The President’s adviser revealed that the government spends over N200 billion monthly on electricity subsidies, but much of this support benefits the wealthiest 25 per cent of Nigerians rather than those who truly need assistance.
“To correct this imbalance, the government is working on a targeted subsidy system that will prioritize low-income households and ensure electricity remains affordable for millions of hardworking Nigerians,” she stated.
She also disclosed that as part of ongoing reforms, the Presidential Metering Initiative will roll out 7 million prepaid meters starting this year, aiming to eliminate estimated billing and ensure transparency in electricity charges.
“With this initiative, Nigerians will only pay for the electricity they consume, reducing complaints about unfair billing while improving revenue collection and attracting investments to strengthen the power sector.
“The government is also addressing the mounting debts owed to power generation companies, which have hindered investment in new infrastructure and disrupted power supply.
“By settling these obligations, we are ensuring that power companies can reinvest in better service delivery, improve infrastructure, and provide a more stable electricity supply for all Nigerians,” Verheijen emphasized.
In addition, the government is implementing fiscal incentives, including VAT and Customs Duty Waivers, to reduce the cost of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, as alternative power sources.
Ms Verheijen assured Nigerians that the government remains committed to reforms that will enhance service delivery, expand electricity access, and improve affordability, rather than imposing sudden tariff increases.
“Our focus is on eliminating unfair estimated billing, ensuring subsidies benefit those who truly need them, and creating the conditions for stable, affordable electricity for all,” she said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Contrary to reports making the rounds, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is not considering passing a bill to make it a criminal offence for single ladies having romantic affairs with married men in the state.
On Monday, unconfirmed news went viral, purporting that a phantom Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Akon Etim, had sponsored a bill to ensure single ladies having sexual relationship with married men spend 10 years in prison, while the men pay a fine of N2 million.
It was claimed that the bill was to be passed by the state parliament, today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
Business Post reports that the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State is Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, not Mrs Akon Etim.
Reacting to the reports, the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Mr Jerry Anson Otu, described the reports as “false.”
“The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly wishes to categorically state that this report is entirely false and has no basis in fact. The Assembly has not received or considered any such bill, and the Deputy Governor has not sponsored it.
“We condemn this malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the Deputy Governor and the Assembly, and urge the public to disregard this fake news and any associated commentaries.
“The House remains committed to its constitutional role of law-making, and will not be swayed by mischievous attempts to undermine its integrity,” parts of the statement issued by the parliament stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria is eyeing stronger diplomatic and strategic ties when it comes to sustainable development as it participates in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Sunday. His plane landed at the Presidential Wing of Zayed International Airport at exactly 11:30 pm local time.
He was received by Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; and members of the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi.
Several other ministers, including the Minister of Budget and Planning, Mr Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr Mohammed Mohammed, welcomed President Tinubu at his hotel.
President Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi from Europe, where he spent part of his end-of-year break, engaging in fruitful discussions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a statement by the presidency.
The 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, with the theme The Nexus of Next, All Systems Go, is a global platform that brings together world leaders, policymakers, investors, and experts to advance dialogue and action on sustainable development, climate action, energy transition, and inclusive economic growth.
This visit further reinforces the strong diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while positioning Nigeria as an active contributor to global conversations on sustainable development.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to account for about N55.9 billion earmarked for the purchase of some materials for the 2019 general elections has forced the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to file a lawsuit against the commission.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP asked the court for an order of mandamus to compel INEC to disclose the names of all contractors paid the sum of money.
It was claimed that the N55.9 billion was meant for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials for the 2019 general elections, which produced the late Mr Muhammadu Buhari as President for a second term in office.
SERAP is relying on the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General on September 9, 2025, to ask for the use of the funds, which is said to be missing or diverted.
The organisation argued that the electoral umpire “must operate without corruption if the commission is to ensure free and fair elections in the country and uphold Nigerians’ right to participation.”
“INEC cannot ensure impartial administration of future elections if these allegations are not satisfactorily addressed, perpetrators including the contractors involved are not prosecuted and the proceeds of corruption are not fully recovered,” a part of the statement issued by the group stated.
“INEC cannot properly carry out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to conduct free and fair elections in the country if it continues to fail to uphold the basic principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
“These allegations also constitute abuse of public office and show the urgent need by INEC to commit to transparency, accountability, clean governance and the rule of law,” it further declared.
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