Nigeria At 66: OCSC Demands Reliable, Affordable Electricity For Citizens

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC) has called for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector to ensure that improved power supply translates into affordable and sustainable electricity for households, workers and businesses.

The coalition made the demand in its Independence Day message issued on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th year of independence.

The statement, signed by the OCSC Chairman, Comrade Dr. Waheed Lawal, said political independence would only have greater meaning when it was accompanied by economic dignity, social development, decent livelihoods and access to essential services.

The coalition commended what it described as reported improvements in electricity supply in Osun State and other parts of the country, urging the Federal Government and the Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, to sustain the progress.

It stressed, however, that reliability alone was not enough, insisting that electricity must also remain affordable to ordinary Nigerians.

“Independence must mean more than political freedom. It must also translate into economic dignity, social development, improved living conditions and access to essential services for ordinary Nigerians,” the coalition said.

The OCSC expressed concern over the proposed removal of electricity subsidy from 2027, arguing that such a policy could increase financial pressure on households and businesses if implemented without adequate safeguards.

It urged the Federal Government to focus more attention on the underlying challenges affecting the financial sustainability of the power sector.

Among the problems identified by the coalition were technical and commercial losses, electricity theft, inadequate generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, insufficient metering, estimated billing, revenue leakages and collection difficulties.

According to the group, addressing these weaknesses could strengthen the sector without placing a disproportionate burden on electricity consumers.

The coalition also demanded greater public accountability regarding the proposed subsidy policy, saying citizens should have access to information on the current annual cost of electricity subsidy, projected savings from its removal and the likely impact on tariffs.

It called for a clear assessment of how any tariff changes would affect households, farmers, manufacturers, traders and other businesses, as well as details of measures designed to protect vulnerable consumers.

“Public policy affecting an essential service of this magnitude should be based on credible data, transparency, consultation and a clear assessment of its social and economic consequences,” the statement said.

The coalition maintained that electricity was central to Nigeria’s economic development, linking reliable power supply to education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, commerce, telecommunications and small-scale enterprises.

As Nigerians celebrated the 66th Independence Anniversary, the OCSC urged the government to combine improvements in electricity reliability with affordability, transparency and accountability.

The coalition said the ultimate objective should be an electricity system capable of supporting economic opportunity and improving the standard of living of citizens.

“Nigerians deserve a country where political freedom is matched by economic opportunity, affordable essential services, decent livelihoods and a standard of living that reflects the dignity of every citizen,” it stated.