The Nigerian government has expressed its willingness to negotiate with organized labour over the recent electricity tariff hike, which sparked a nationwide protest by workers on Monday. The protest, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), picketed offices of the eleven Electricity Distribution Companies and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), disrupting activities in the power sector.

NLC president, Joe Ajaero, demanded a review of the tariff hike, citing its contribution to the country’s soaring inflation and food prices. In response, the Ministry of Power spokesperson, Mrs. Florence Eke, announced that the government has convened a consultative meeting with labour and stakeholders for next week to address the issue.

However, NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, warned that the government should have consulted before implementing the tariff hike and that the picketing was just a teaser of what was to come if the government did not reverse the hike.

The controversy surrounding the electricity tariff hike has been ongoing since April 2024, when NERC announced a 240% increase for Band A customers, leading to widespread rejection and a recent minor reduction of N18.2. Despite this, labour remains unsatisfied, and the picketing of Discos and NERC offices demonstrates their determination to push for a reversal of the hike.

Reacting to the development, a retired staff member of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Ewetumo A A, described the picketing as “long overdue” and urged NERC to adopt a more gradual approach to implementing its Cost Reflective Tariff Regime. He also advised the federal government to explore Public Private Partnership initiatives to fund the power sector and transform it into a more efficient and effective entity.