By Our Correspondent
The electricity tariff controversy involving the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has taken a more disturbing and dangerous turn, as findings now reveal a fresh, unannounced reduction in electricity units allocated to consumers for the same amount of money within a space of four days.
Investigations by Nigerian Monitor show that the controversial tariff regime, which had already pegged N5,000 worth of electricity at about 22.3 units since October 1, 2025, was again quietly adjusted downward to 17.8 units on Monday, December 29, 2025, without any prior notice to customers.
The development has further heightened tension among electricity consumers in Akure, particularly residents of Alagbaka GRA and Ijapo Estate, who have been at the centre of complaints over drastic reductions in prepaid meter units since October.
Evidence obtained from prepaid electricity purchase receipts shows that a customer who bought N5,000 worth of electricity on December 25, 2025, received 22.3 units, while another purchase of the same amount made on December 29, 2025, yielded only 17.8 units, despite no official announcement of a tariff review, band migration or regulatory adjustment.
The sharp reduction represents a significant rise in the effective cost per kilowatt-hour within a very short period and has reinforced public fears that electricity pricing is being altered arbitrarily and without transparency.
Residents described the latest development as “provocative”, “inhumane” and “economically dangerous”, especially at a time when many Nigerians are struggling to sustain their families amid rising inflation and stagnant incomes.
“This is no longer about band migration or improved supply,” a resident of Ijapo Estate said. “How do you explain reducing units again within days without telling anyone? It means they can wake up tomorrow and slash it further.”
Consumers insist that where electricity supply improves, the natural effect should be that units run faster due to longer hours of usage, not that the tariff per unit is silently increased.
They argue that electricity units must retain their naira value and that no customer should be subjected to higher rates without clear communication, consent and verifiable improvement in service delivery.
The latest incident has also raised fresh questions about regulatory oversight in the state.
Critics argue that frequent, unexplained adjustments to electricity pricing undermine consumer confidence and violate basic principles of fairness and accountability in public utility management.
Efforts to obtain an official explanation from BEDC regarding the sudden reduction in units were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, consumer rights groups say the fresh development strengthens their resolve to continue to petition the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other relevant authorities, demanding a full investigation into what they describe as a pattern of disguised tariff increases and regulatory abuse.
Residents are also calling on the Ondo State Government to intervene urgently, warning that continued silence or inaction could deepen public resentment and escalate tensions.
“This situation is becoming unbearable,” another consumer said. “People are paying more and getting less every time, without explanation. That is not governance, and it is not justice.”
As public anger continues to mount, the unanswered questions remain: Who authorised the latest adjustment? Under what regulatory framework was it done? And how many more silent increases should consumers expect?
Until clear answers are provided, electricity consumers across Ondo State say they will continue to resist what they see as an unjust and exploitative tariff regime.
