President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to embrace energy-saving habits to cushion the impact of soaring electricity tariffs and economic difficulties.
Speaking during his maiden presidential media chat on NTA Monday night, Tinubu advised citizens to actively manage their electricity consumption to reduce costs.
“It’s not negative to learn to manage. You learn to control your electricity bill—switch off the light. Let’s learn to manage,” the president said from his Ikoyi residence in Lagos.
The president’s remarks come amid mounting frustration over the recent hike in electricity tariffs and the removal of fuel subsidies, which have triggered inflation and economic strain for many Nigerians.
Tinubu stressed the need for discipline and accountability in energy consumption as a step towards adapting to the changing economic environment.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced an increase in tariffs for Band A customers on April 3, 2024, raising the cost per kilowatt-hour from N66 to N225. This decision has drawn sharp criticism, especially as Nigerians already struggle with high fuel prices and a weakened naira.
Despite public frustration, Tinubu maintained his stance against price control, stating, “I don’t believe in price control; we will work hard to supply the market.”
The president also reacted to the recent stampedes in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja, which occurred during the distribution of palliatives. He attributed the incidents to indiscipline and poor organization, calling for better coordination to prevent future occurrences.
Tinubu’s comments underscore his administration’s focus on long-term economic reforms, emphasizing efficiency and self-regulation as coping strategies in the face of rising costs.
While Nigerians have expressed concerns about the immediate impact of these reforms, the president urged citizens to adopt measures that promote sustainability and cost management as the government works to stabilize the economy.