The Federal Government has dismissed reports suggesting an imminent increase in electricity tariffs, assuring Nigerians that its priority remains improving power supply and expanding access to reliable electricity.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe gave the assurance on Thursday in Ibadan during the inauguration of activities for a 17.7-megawatt hybrid solar mini-grid project supported by a 17.74-megawatt battery energy storage system.
Addressing concerns over information circulating on social media, Tegbe insisted that the government had no immediate plans to raise electricity charges.
“I want to say this clearly and without ambiguity: there is no plan to increase electricity tariffs,” he declared.
The minister explained that the administration was instead pursuing reforms intended to deliver uninterrupted electricity across the country.
He identified three proposed energy development corridors: Lagos-Ogun, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt.
According to him, investments in these corridors, alongside improvements to the national grid, would support the government’s ambition of achieving round-the-clock electricity supply.
The Oyo solar project is expected to serve communities in Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu local government areas.
Tegbe said the initiative would reduce reliance on petrol and diesel generators, improve electricity availability for businesses and create opportunities for investment and employment.
Providing further details, Managing Director of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Deolu Ijose, disclosed that approximately 22,597 customers would benefit from the project.
He explained that Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited would develop the solar facilities, while IBEDC’s existing distribution network would support electricity delivery.
Ijose described the arrangement as an example of collaboration between private developers and distribution companies in expanding electricity access.
The Rural Electrification Agency’s Managing Director, Abba Abubakar-Aliyu, outlined the planned distribution of generating capacity across five locations.
These include 1.8MW in Bola, 3.5MW in Jiboye, 6.9MW in Molade, 3.6MW in Ogo-Oluwa and 1.9MW in Sooko.
He said the installations would extend electricity services to underserved communities across the designated local government areas.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, welcomed the intervention and urged the state government to accelerate its ongoing power projects.
He specifically called for the completion of Oyo’s hybrid electricity initiative before 2027.
Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Dahud Shangodoyin, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to renewable energy and rural electrification.
Makinde noted that the state’s 11MW Hybrid Independent Power Project was intended to supply government facilities, with its initial 5MW phase commissioned in 2024.
He also emphasised the importance of combining different technologies to address electricity challenges.
The event brought together representatives of the Rural Electrification Agency, World Bank, Paras Energy, IBEDC and other stakeholders involved in the project.
