By Esther Onyegbula

As Nigerians brace for yet another round of electricity tariff increases, energy policy expert and founder of PUTTRU, Monica Maduekwe, has cautioned the Federal Government and the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, against what she describes as a “counterproductive move” that could further entrench dysfunction in the nation’s power sector.

Speaking during a media interaction, Maduekwe stressed that repeated tariff hikes have historically failed to improve electricity supply and could drive more Nigerians toward self-generation, undermining the national grid and deepening inequality in access to power.

“If tariff increment was the solution, the crisis would have been resolved after the numerous hikes we’ve seen over the years,” she said. “Electricity is not just another commodity, it’s the backbone of the entire economy. When power becomes unaffordable, local production suffers, businesses close, and growth slows.”

Maduekwe warned that raising electricity prices without first enacting bold, systemic reforms risks further alienating the public and could even sabotage the market. According to her, Nigeria’s failure to build a functional electricity market decades after independence points to either a lack of political will or a significant institutional capacity gap.

“Technologies and market knowledge exist, implementation is the problem,” she noted, blaming entrenched interests, corruption, and regulatory inefficiencies for the sector’s stagnation. From procurement of substandard infrastructure to vandalism and widespread non-payment by high-energy users, Maduekwe highlighted both upstream and downstream malpractices crippling the system.

Contrary to arguments that tariff hikes attract investment, Maduekwe suggested that such moves often backfire. “Many households and businesses are already off the grid, relying on solar, diesel, or gas-powered systems. Another price increase will likely accelerate this trend, fragment the grid, and worsen inequality.”

She challenged the current administration to use this opportunity to foster accountability and excellence. “Minister Adelabu could make history by setting high standards of performance, tracking delivery metrics, and grooming reform-minded leadership within the sector,” she said.

Founded by Maduekwe, PUTTRU is a pan-African energy investment facilitation platform focused on driving private capital toward sustainable energy projects across the continent. Her latest comments add to growing concerns that the Nigerian government’s tariff-centered approach to electricity reform is missing the mark.