Pay Band A tariff, get Band D darkness: How Jalupon is case study of Nigeria’s electricity tariff injustice

2026-02-24 - 09:46

By Zik Zulu Okafor In Jalupon Close, Surulere, Lagos, residents say paying the highest electricity tariff has not necessarily translated into enjoying the highest level of supply. The close-knit community falls under the network of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and is officially classified as Band A under Nigeria’s service-based tariff regime — the top tier, which carries the highest tariff and promises a minimum of 20 hours of electricity supply per day. But for many residents, the lived experience has raised difficult questions about transparency, measurement, and regulatory enforcement. A Promise — and Growing Questions Around May 2025, residents say they were informed that Jalupon Close would be migrated from Band B (minimum 16 hours daily supply) to Band A (minimum 20 hours daily supply). The shift came with expectations of longer electricity supply and a billing structure that would fairly reflect improved service delivery. However, some residents began noticing inconsistencies. According to members of the Jalupon Close Residents Association (JACRA), certain homes on the same street appeared to enjoy longer hours of supply than others. At other times, supply patterns across the street did not appear materially different despite different band classifications reflected on bills. “How could two homes just metres apart receive different classifications or experience conflicting service outcomes under the same grid?” some residents asked. These observations have led to confusion over how band allocations are determined, how supply hours are calculated, and whether the classification accurately reflects actual electricity delivered to the area. Understanding the Band System Nigeria’s electricity service bands are regulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Under the Service-Based Tariff framework: Band A customers are expected to receive a minimum of 20 hours daily supply. Band B customers receive at least 16 hours. Band C customers receive at least 12 hours. Band D customers receive at least eight hours. Band E customers receive a minimum of four hours. The regulatory framework provides that where a Distribution Company does not consistently meet the minimum supply hours attached to a band, provisions exist for feeder reclassification and customer compensation through billing adjustments or energy credits. Residents of Jalupon Close say they remain uncertain about how supply hours for their feeder are independently measured and verified, and how determinations about band classification are made. They are therefore calling on NERC to clarify whether the Band A designation currently applied to their area accurately reflects the average daily electricity supply received. Billing and Perception Gaps Several residents told this reporter that, in their experience, electricity supply has at times fallen short of what they understand to be the 20-hour daily threshold associated with Band A. Members of the Residents Association say informal tracking within the community suggests that supply levels may not consistently align with the expectations attached to Band A classification. They are urging regulators to independently review feeder-level data to determine whether the current designation reflects actual service delivery. “At the very least, we deserve clarity,” said Barrister Lanre Ayo-Idowu, Chairman of JACRA. “How are the hours calculated? Who verifies them? And how do we confirm that what we are paying for matches what we receive?” Residents say they have no accessible mechanism to independently: Track verified daily supply hours by feeder, Confirm when a feeder is upgraded or downgraded between bands, Ascertain whether any compensation mechanisms have been triggered where applicable. For many in the community, the issue is less about policy design and more about implementation transparency. A Call for Regulatory Clarity JACRA Secretary Remi Oduniyi said consumers should be able to independently verify their band status using their meter number or feeder information, rather than relying solely on what appears on monthly bills. “Nigerians deserve clarity, fairness and accountability,” he said. “Electricity is no longer a luxury. It is part of everyday life. There should not be anything hazy about what we are paying for.” Residents are calling on NERC to: Investigate perceived inconsistencies in feeder classification; Ensure band migrations are transparent and properly communicated; Make feeder-level supply data publicly accessible in clear, consumer-friendly formats; Strengthen verification and reporting mechanisms where necessary. They argue that public confidence in the service-based tariff regime depends not only on regulatory policy but on visible, measurable and understandable implementation. A Wider National Conversation The situation in Jalupon Close reflects broader national debates about electricity reform, tariff adjustments and consumer protection within Nigeria’s power sector. While NERC has introduced mechanisms intended to improve service accountability — including online portals for band verification and performance monitoring — residents say the usefulness of such tools depends on the accessibility, clarity and timeliness of the underlying data. For the people of Jalupon Close, the promise of Band A classification remains tied to one simple expectation: that service quality should reasonably correspond with the tariff paid. As electricity reforms continue to evolve, their experience underscores a central question in Nigeria’s power sector — how to ensure that billing structures, service delivery and regulatory oversight remain aligned in practice as well as in policy. Okafor wrote from Lagos.