The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who made the promise in August 2024, has since remained quiet, with no further action taken on the promise. This came as industry sources knowledgeable about the development stated that the Federal Government may not be considering any form of power subsidy for these institutions at the moment.
A consumer group also condemned the government’s silence on the matter, alleging that the power minister only made the statement without the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
With the removal of subsidies in areas under Band A feeders, the bills of many health and academic institutions tripled, making it difficult for them to meet their obligations.
Our correspondent gathered that some tertiary hospitals pay as much as N300m per month to cover their electricity bills. The figure, they said, rose from less than N100m before the tariff review.
But in August 2024, Adelabu, who has now declared his intention to contest for the Ogun governorship seat, disclosed that the government would subsidise electricity in hospitals and universities, even if they are on Band-A feeders.
