President Bola Tinubu has encouraged Nigerians to improve their energy management skills as a way to reduce electricity bills.
“It’s not a negative thing to learn how to manage. You learn to control your electricity bill—switch off the lights; let’s learn to manage,” Tinubu said on Monday during a conversation with reporters at his residence in the affluent Ikoyi district of Lagos.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) leader also dismissed the idea of government-imposed price controls, stating, “I don’t believe in price control; we will work hard to ensure supply meets market demand.”
Since his inauguration in May 2023, Tinubu’s administration has faced widespread criticism over rising energy costs. The removal of the petrol subsidy and a significant increase in electricity tariffs have exacerbated the situation. Petrol prices have surged from under ₦200 per litre to over ₦1,100 in many areas, while the naira has weakened substantially, plunging from around ₦700/$ to ₦1,600.
In April 2024, the electricity regulator raised tariffs for Band A customers from ₦66 to ₦225 per kilowatt-hour, a move that has been met with widespread disapproval. Critics have highlighted the timing of the hike, given the current economic hardships faced by many Nigerians.
Soaring food and commodity prices have led to what many describe as the worst cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria since independence. However, Tinubu has defended his reforms, arguing that they are crucial for steering the country towards economic prosperity.