NANS to power minister: Stop tariff hikes or resign

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The National Association of Nigerian Students has strongly condemned recent comments by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, regarding the removal of electricity subsidies and a possible hike in tariffs.

The student body described Adelabu’s position as “insensitive”, “out of touch with reality” and enjoined him ”to resign, rather than continually proposing tariff increases as the only solution.”

In a statement issued by the Senate President of NANS, Usman Adamu, the student body expressed frustration over what it described as the minister’s repeated use of tariff increases as a solution to the challenges in the power sector.

“At a time when Nigerians are already gasping under the crushing weight of economic hardship, exacerbated by inflation, stagnant wages, and erratic power supply, it is not only insensitive but an outright dereliction of duty for the Honourable Minister to repeatedly prescribe tariff increments as the sole remedy for inefficiencies in the power sector,” the statement read.

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NANS accused the minister of failing to address deeper structural problems in the electricity sector, such as poor service delivery by Distribution Companies, estimated billing and widespread disregard for electricity supply agreements under Bands C and D.

“It is particularly appalling that the Minister has failed in his fundamental obligation of oversight.

“DisCos, emboldened by weak regulation, have been robbing the Nigerian people blind… The silence and inaction of the Minister in the face of these daily infractions suggest either complicity or catastrophic negligence,” NANS said.

The student body questioned the minister’s contribution to meaningful reform, asking, “What precisely is the Honourable Minister doing to reform the DisCos? What innovative blueprint has he advanced to stabilise and decentralise the national grid? What strategic interventions has he initiated to make renewable energy more accessible? None.”