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Tariff War Hits Boiling Point; FG Steps Up To Save Nigeria’s Power Sector
The ongoing standoff between state governments and electricity distribution companies (Discos) over tariff-setting authority has prompted the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to summon all stakeholders for a meeting next week in Lagos.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
State energy commissioners, organized under the Forum of Commissioners for Power and Energy in Nigeria (FOCPEN), have maintained that the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended) empowers states to regulate their local power markets. However, Discos, represented by the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), insist that while states may regulate their markets, they cannot determine prices for electricity drawn from the national grid, creating a deadlock over tariff authority.
The dispute escalated when the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) reduced the Band A tariff from N209/kWh to N160/kWh, effective August 1, 2025. MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited subsequently reduced power supply by 50% due to projected losses exceeding N1 billion, prompting widespread blackouts. ANED CEO Sunday Oduntan warned that state attempts to set cross-border electricity tariffs risk destabilizing the sector. He emphasized that states can only fix tariffs for power they generate, transmit, and distribute within their borders, not for energy sourced from the national grid.
FOCPEN, however, stressed its commitment to sectoral reforms, insisting it seeks solutions rather than conflict. Prince Eka Williams, FOCPEN Chairman and Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, said the forum is focused on electrifying every Nigerian home and will work collaboratively with stakeholders to address sector challenges.
Following public complaints, MainPower restored electricity in Enugu at the old tariff of N209/kWh, rejecting the EERC’s directive. In response, the commission accused the Disco of violating the tariff order and threatened sanctions. NERC had earlier advised that states wishing to reduce tariffs must cover any shortfall to avoid market disruption.
Enugu’s Special Adviser on Power, Joe Aneke, defended the state’s actions, explaining that the tariff adjustment pertained only to distribution costs and did not alter generation or transmission fees. He also challenged the figures presented by MainPower, stating that the alleged N9 billion claim for cost recovery was inaccurate.
MainPower, meanwhile, petitioned the EERC, arguing that the tariff order did not comply with Regulation No. EERC/R004, emphasizing that tariff determinations must follow agreed cost reviews and contractual pricing methodologies.
Dr. Usman Abba-Arabi, NERC’s General Manager of Public Affairs, confirmed that the upcoming meeting will bring together state regulatory commissions, Discos, and other electricity industry stakeholders to deliberate on these issues and propose actionable solutions, noting that the discussions will be conducted without press presence.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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