The Federal Government has ruled out plans to increase electricity tariffs, saying its priority is to improve power supply and expand access to reliable electricity across the country.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, gave the assurance on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the launch of a 17.7-megawatt hybrid solar mini-grid project designed to serve communities across five local government areas.
Tegbe dismissed reports circulating on social media about a possible tariff hike, describing them as misinformation and urging Nigerians to disregard them.
He said the government was working towards providing electricity around the clock, with plans to strengthen supply along three major energy corridors: Lagos-Ogun, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt.
The mini-grid project will serve 22,597 electricity customers across Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo-Oluwa and Sooko-Elega communities in Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu local government areas.
Developed by Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the project combines 17.7 megawatts of solar photovoltaic generation with a 17.74-megawatt battery energy storage system.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Deolu Ijose, said the company’s existing distribution network would be used to deliver electricity generated by the project to the beneficiary communities.
He said the initiative demonstrated how electricity distribution companies and private developers could work together to improve access to power.
Ijose added that the project builds on IBEDC’s earlier interventions, including the Mokoloki mini-grid in Ogun State and the Oke-Oyi mini-grid in Kwara State. He urged residents to protect the new facilities from damage.
According to the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Abubakar-Aliyu, the project comprises 1.8MW in Bola, 3.5MW in Jiboye, 6.9MW in Molade-Adelubi, 3.6MW in Ogo-Oluwa and 1.9MW in Sooko-Elega.
The Federal Government is working with the Rural Electrification Agency, Paras Energy, the World Bank, IBEDC, the Oyo State Government and host communities to deliver the project.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended the minister for extending electricity projects to rural and underserved communities. He also urged the Oyo State Government to complete its ongoing hybrid power project before 2027 to enable residents to benefit from improved electricity supply.
Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by the state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Prof. Dahud Shangodoyin, said the state would continue to pursue practical solutions to its power challenges.
He disclosed that the state’s Hybrid Independent Power Project, which is intended to supply the state secretariat and other strategic public facilities, has a capacity of 11MW. Its first 5MW phase was commissioned in 2024.
Makinde said the state’s electricity plans include solar installations in public facilities, rural electrification, mini-grids and private-sector-led power generation and distribution. He noted that different technologies would be needed to meet the electricity requirements of different locations.
Tegbe said the Federal Government would also work to strengthen the national grid across the eastern, western and central corridors as part of efforts to improve electricity supply and advance its goal of round-the-clock power nationwide.
