President Bola Tinubu has officially received the report from the High Powered Presidential Committee (HPPC) on Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf Project. He commended the committee’s experts for their diligent efforts over the years to extend Nigeria’s maritime boundaries under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982.

At a presentation in Abuja, marine scientist Larry Awosika and Committee Secretary Aliyu Omar delivered technical details about the project. Since Nigeria's initial submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in 2009, the team has worked tirelessly to gain approval for extending Nigeria's continental shelf.

The experts informed Tinubu that the UN has now approved Nigeria’s submission, granting the country sovereignty over an additional 16,300 square kilometres of maritime territory—about five times the size of Lagos State.

Omar highlighted that the official notification from the CLCS was received in August 2023, shortly after Tinubu took office. He outlined two options for Nigeria: finalizing registration with the UN Secretary-General, which would take about a year, or gathering more data and making a revised submission, which could extend the process by four years.

Awosika, a professor, detailed the scientific research and diplomatic efforts involved in securing the approval, emphasizing the economic potential of the new territory, including hydrocarbons, gas, solid minerals, and various marine species. He also cautioned against fully disclosing sensitive survey data to protect confidentiality and potential economic benefits.

Tinubu expressed his gratitude to the experts, underscoring the importance of this achievement for Nigeria's economic and strategic interests. He noted the peaceful means by which the additional territory was gained and emphasized the need to explore and capitalize on this new maritime expanse.

"This is a significant achievement for Nigeria," Tinubu remarked, recalling discussions with former President Muhammadu Buhari and other global leaders about the project's importance. He expressed pride in the team's success and reiterated Nigeria's commitment to pursuing the best options for the country's benefit.

The meeting was attended by Hassan Tukur, chairman of the HPPC, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola.

Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

May 14, 2024

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized African countries, including Nigeria, for adopting Western liberal democracy, describing it as a mistake. Obasanjo made these remarks on Monday during a meeting with members of the House of Representatives advocating for the reintroduction of the parliamentary system of government in Nigeria. The lawmakers, led by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), met with Obasanjo at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja as part of their campaign to transition Nigeria from its current presidential system to a parliamentary one.

Obasanjo, who oversaw the implementation of the American-style presidential system in the 1979 Constitution during his tenure as military head of state, expressed his support for the lawmakers' initiative. He was later elected as president in 1999 and served for eight years.

In his address, Obasanjo argued that Western liberal democracy is inconsistent with African values and history. He noted that Western democracy, with its concept of "loyal opposition," is a product of European culture and monarchical traditions, which do not align with African political systems. "We ruled ourselves before colonialism with empires and kingdoms, not through opposition," Obasanjo stated. He proposed that Africa should develop its own form of democracy, which he termed "afro-democracy."

Regarding the lawmakers' proposal, Obasanjo advised them to avoid using the term "parliamentary system" and instead advocate for a homegrown democratic model. He emphasized the need for a strategic and long-term approach to gain widespread support for the change.

In response, Kingsley Chinda explained that the term "parliamentary" was used due to the lack of a better term, but assured that their proposed system is uniquely tailored for Nigeria. Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), the group's spokesperson, announced plans for a national dialogue on the project, scheduled for July 1.

The push for a parliamentary system by the Parliamentary Group aims to return Nigeria to the governmental structure it had before the 1966 coup, which saw a military takeover and the suspension of civil governance until the reintroduction of democracy in 1979. The group's proposal includes the establishment of a prime minister as the head of government, accountable to the legislature, thus fostering a closer relationship between the executive and legislative branches for more efficient governance.

The lawmakers have introduced several constitutional amendment bills to facilitate this transition, targeting 2031 for the implementation of their proposed changes.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has criticized the current state of the Nigerian judiciary, calling it weak and compromised by the executive branch and the highest bidder. Speaking at the Justice Anthony Aniagolu Memorial Lecture organized by the Aniagolu family and hosted by Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI) in Enugu, Obi reflected on his past experiences with the judiciary when it was more robust and independent.

During his lecture titled “The Judiciary and The Future of Nigeria,” Obi recounted his political battles in Anambra State. He explained that after winning the governorship election, another candidate was declared the winner, prompting him to seek justice in court. "I spent three years in court, and justice was given to me. After a few months, I was impeached, but the judiciary restored me to power. After one year in office, another election was conducted, and a different person was elected. I went to the Supreme Court, where judges with respect for the rule of law reinstated me to complete my tenure," Obi said, attributing these successes to incorruptible and independent judges.

Obi lamented that such jurists are rare in today's Nigeria, asserting, "Our judiciary is weak and compromised by the executive and the highest bidder."

He emphasized that the future of society is at risk because the judiciary's independence has been undermined. "We need a strong judiciary to fight criminality. The rule of law is the foundation on which any society survives and develops, and the only thing that makes it sacrosanct is the independence of the judiciary. A strong judiciary is essential for businesses, investments, and democracy to thrive," Obi stated.

He argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not Nigeria's primary problem but rather the judiciary, which often disappoints those seeking justice. Obi noted that weak institutions result from a lack of a strong judiciary where litigants can report wrongdoings and expect fair outcomes.

As a solution, Obi advocated for the judiciary's independence and non-interference from the executive. He highlighted his own tenure as governor, during which he refrained from appointing judges, leaving that responsibility to the Chief Judge. "I bought cars for them but never appointed any judge throughout my tenure," he noted.

Obi also praised Justice Anthony Aniagolu's exemplary life and career, noting his significant contributions to Nigerian law.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, represented by Health Commissioner Emmanuel Obi, described the lecture as timely and highlighted the state's efforts to create an enabling environment for businesses through legal reforms.

GOUNI Vice Chancellor Christian Anieke lauded Aniagolu as an "erudite jurist and incorruptible judge" and thanked Obi for delivering the memorial lecture, noting the shared values and commitment to integrity and democracy between Obi and the late Aniagolu.

Chukwuemeka Aniagolu, the late jurist's son, expressed gratitude to Obi, the university, and the guests for honoring his father’s legacy and contributions to Nigeria's judiciary.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday unveiled a bundle of steep tariff increases on an array of Chinese imports including electric vehicle (EV) batteries, computer chips and medical products, risking an election-year standoff with Beijing in a bid to woo voters who give his economic policies low marks.

China immediately vowed retaliation. Its commerce ministry said Beijing was opposed to the U.S. tariff hikes and would take measures to defend its interests, urging the United States to cancel the measures.

Biden will keep tariffs put in place by his Republican predecessor Donald Trump while ratcheting up others, including a quadrupling of EV duties to over 100% and doubling the duties on semiconductor tariffs to 50%, the White House said in a statement. It cited "unacceptable risks" to U.S. economic security posed by what it considers unfair Chinese practices that are flooding global markets with cheap goods.

The new measures affect $18 billion in imported Chinese goods including steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles, critical minerals, solar cells and cranes, the White House said.

The announcement confirmed earlier Reuters reporting.

The United States imported $427 billion in goods from China in 2023 and exported $148 billion to the world's No. 2 economy, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, a trade gap that has persisted for decades and become an ever more sensitive subject in Washington.

"China's using the same playbook it has before to power its own growth at the expense of others by continuing to invest, despite excess Chinese capacity and flooding global markets with exports that are underpriced due to unfair practices," Biden economic adviser Lael Brainard told reporters on a conference call.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the revised tariffs were justified because China was stealing U.S. intellectual property. But Tai recommended tariff exclusions for hundreds of industrial machinery import categories from China, including 19 for solar product manufacturing equipment.

Financial market reaction was muted. U.S. stock index futures were little changed. The announcement came after Chinese markets closed for the day, but in U.S. premarket trading shares of Chinese EV makers Li Auto (2015.HK) and Xpeng (9868.HK) were around 3% lower. Treasury yields were fairly flat, suggesting little worry that the move would aggravate U.S. consumer price pressures.

FREE TRADE NO MORE

Even as Biden's steps fell in line with Trump's premise that tougher trade measures are warranted, the Democrat took aim at his opponent in November's election.

The White House said Trump's 2020 trade deal with China did not increase American exports or boost American manufacturing jobs, and it said the 10% across-the-board tariffs on goods from all points of origin that Trump has proposed would frustrate U.S. allies and raise prices. Trump has floated tariffs of 60% or higher on all Chinese goods.

Administration officials said their measures are "carefully targeted," combined with domestic investment, plotted with close allies and unlikely to worsen a bout of inflation that has already angered U.S. voters and imperiled Biden's re-election bid.

Biden has struggled to convince voters of the efficacy of his economic policies despite a backdrop of low unemployment and above-trend economic growth. A Reuters/Ipsos poll last month showed Trump had a 7 percentage-point edge over Biden on the economy.

Analysts have warned that a trade tiff could raise costs for EVs overall, hurting Biden's climate goals and his aim to create manufacturing jobs.

Biden has said he wants to win this era of competition with China but not to launch a trade war. He has worked in recent months to ease tensions in one-on-one talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Both 2024 U.S. presidential candidates have departed from the free-trade consensus that once reigned in Washington, a period capped by China's joining the World Trade Organization in 2001. Trump's broader imposition of tariffs during his 2017-2021 presidency kicked off a tariff war with China.

As part of the long-awaited tariff update, Biden will increase tariffs this year under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 from 25% to 100% on EVs, bringing total duties to 102.5%, from 7.5% to 25% on lithium-ion EV batteries and other battery parts and from 25% to 50% on photovoltaic cells used to make solar panels. Some critical minerals will have their tariffs raised from nothing to 25%.

The tariffs on ship-to-shore cranes will rise to 25% from zero, those on syringes and needles will rise to 50% from nothing now and some personal protective equipment (PPE) used in medical facilities will rise to 25% from as little as 0% now. Shortages in PPE made largely in China hampered the United States' Covid-19 response.

More tariffs will follow in 2025 and 2026 on semiconductors, as well as lithium-ion batteries that are not used in electric vehicles, graphite and permanent magnets as well as rubber medical and surgical gloves.

A step Biden previously announced to raise tariffs on some steel and aluminum productswill take effect this year, the White House said.

A number of lawmakers have called for massive hikes on Chinese vehicle tariffs or an outright ban over data privacy concerns. There are relatively few Chinese-made light-duty vehicles being imported now.

The United Auto Workers, a politically important union that endorsed Biden, said the tariff moves would ensure that "the transition to electric vehicles is a just transition."

Reuters

Bello Hassan, a member of the House of Representatives representing Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency, reported on Tuesday that bandits have attacked at least 50 communities in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. In an interview in Abuja, Hassan stated that the relentless attacks have forced residents to abandon their homes.

Hassan recounted a recent attack on the Gidan Shaho community last Monday, where bandits invaded in large numbers. “Not less than 50 villages have been attacked, displacing the residents. Whenever the military attacks the gunmen, they retaliate by attacking the villagers. It is a dire situation that requires urgent action to protect lives in Zamfara,” he said.

He criticized the security forces, alleging that despite being aware of the bandits' activities, they failed to act effectively. "Last Monday, the bandits were meeting, and the vigilantes, police, and military were aware. When the military moved to confront them, the bandits ambushed and attacked the village, killing two vigilantes and two policemen," Hassan explained.

Displaced residents are now seeking refuge in schools, disrupting education as students are afraid to attend. Hassan called for better support and oversight for the military and other security agencies, questioning if they receive their allocated allowances. He urged the Federal Government to mobilize resources and intervene.

In response, Yazid Abubakar, the state Police Public Relations Officer, acknowledged the situation, stating, “A team has been set and the operation is ongoing.”

However, Defence Headquarters denied the allegations against the military. Edward Buba, a major general and Director of Defence Media Operations, stated in a telephone interview, “The ongoing counter-terrorism operations have prevented terrorists from achieving their objectives. Operations are ongoing in Tsafe LGA of Katsina State and surrounding communities.”

Last week, at least 49 people were reportedly killed by bandits during a five-day attack in Zamfara's Anka Local Government Area. Residents reported that 18 were killed in Farar-Kasa village, 22 in Dangulbi, two in Duhuwa, four in Tsatsomawa, and three in Yar Sabaya.

An anonymous resident from Anka town confirmed the ongoing attacks, noting that bandit activities have persisted since the beginning of the previous week.

Israeli tanks push deeper into Rafah; battles rage in northern Gaza

Israeli tanks pushed deeper into Rafah on Tuesday, reaching some residential areas of the southern Gazan border city where more than a million people had sought shelter, and its forces pounded the enclave's north in some of the fiercest attacks in months.

Israel's international allies and aid groups have repeatedly warned against a ground incursion into Rafah, where many Palestinians fled and Israel says four Hamas battalions are holed up. Israel says it must root out the remaining fighters.

The White House said U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan will visit Israel and Saudi Arabia this weekend. The Biden administration declined to comment on a report by Axios that Israel agreed not to expand its Rafah operation significantly before Sullivan's visit.

A U.S. official who declined to be identified told Reuters that Israel promised not to make a major move in Rafah without advising Washington.

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a briefing that Israeli forces had killed about 100 militant fighters, located 10 tunnel routes and found many weapons in Rafah since the start of the operation a week ago.

Fighting has intensified elsewhere across the Gaza Strip in recent days, including in the north, with the Israeli military returning to areas where it had claimed to have already dismantled Hamas. The clashes on Tuesday were the fiercest in months, residents and militant sources said.

"We are operating with determination in all three parts of the Gaza Strip. Forces from the air, land and sea are simultaneously striking terrorist targets," Hagari said, referring to the enclave's north, centre and south.

The Palestinian death toll in the war has now surpassed 35,000, according to Gaza health officials, whose figures do not differentiate between civilians and fighters. They said that 82 Palestinians had been killed in the past 24 hours, the highest death toll in a single day in many weeks.

Fierce gun battles raged late on Tuesday in northern Gaza's Jabalia, a sprawling refugee camp built for displaced Palestinians 75 years ago. "Many people are being trapped in their houses," Nasser, 57, a father of six, said by phone.

Israel killed about 80 militant fighters and destroyed rocket launchers and weapons manufacturing facilities in the heart of Jabalia on Tuesday, Hagari said. He said 13 Israeli soldiers were injured on Tuesday, four seriously.

In Gaza City, also in the enclave's north, an Israeli air strike on a house in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood killed four people and wounded several others late on Tuesday, medics said.

In the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City, Israeli bulldozers demolished houses to make a new road for tanks. The Israeli military said it had eliminated about 150 fighters and destroyed 80 structures used by Hamas there.

With fighting intensifying, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, mediated by his country and Egypt, were at a stalemate.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Putin backs China's Ukraine peace plan, says Beijing understands the conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview published early on Wednesday, said he backed China's plan for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis, saying Beijing had a full understanding of what lay behind the crisis.

Putin, speaking to China's Xinhua news agency ahead of his visit to Beijing this week, said Russia remained open to dialogue and talks to solve the more than two-year-old conflict.

China's plan and further "principles" made public by President Xi Jinping last month took account of factors behind the conflict, Putin said.

"We are positive in our assessment of China's approach to solving the Ukrainian crisis," Putin said, according to a Russian-language transcript on the Kremlin website. "In Beijing, they truly understand its root causes and its global geopolitical meaning."

And the additional principles, set down by Xi in talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, were "realistic and constructive steps" that "develop the idea of the necessity to overcome the cold war mentality".

Beijing put forward a 12-point paper more than a year ago that set out general principles for ending the war, but did not get into specifics.

It received a lukewarm reception at the time in both Russia and Ukraine, while the U.S. said China was presenting itself as a peacemaker but reflecting Russia's "false narrative" and failing to condemn its invasion.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last month called the proposal a "reasonable plan that the great Chinese civilization proposed for discussion."

Xi's additional principles call for a "cooling down" of the situation, conditions for restoring peace and creating stability and minimising the impacts on the world economy.

Russia views the conflict as a struggle pitting it against the "collective West" which took no account of Moscow's security concerns by promoting the eastward expansion of NATO and military activity close to its borders.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation" to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and the West say the fascist allegation is baseless and that the war is an unprovoked act of aggression.

Russia and China proclaimed a "no limits" relationship just days before Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but Beijing has so far avoided providing actual weapons and ammunition for Russia's war effort.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's peace plan calls for a withdrawal of Russian troops, the restoration of its 1991 post-Soviet borders and bringing Russia to account for its actions.

A "peace summit" is scheduled for Switzerland in June. But Russia is not invited, dismisses the initiative as meaningless and says talks must take account of "new realities".

China has attended some preparatory talks for the summit and Ukraine has deployed great efforts to persuade it to attend.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

‘No’ deal between Moscow and Kiev – London

Britain will not support any solution to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine that involves what it sees as concessions to Moscow, Defense Secretary Grant Chapps told Times Radio on Tuesday.

The UK has been among the largest arms donors to Kiev. In recent weeks, London has stepped up its rhetoric by saying that the British weapons supplied to Ukraine may be used for attacks deep inside Russia. Moscow recently summoned the UK ambassador over the matter and warned of possible retaliation, including strikes targeting “any British military facilities and equipment” in Ukraine and beyond.

Earlier on Tuesday, Chapps confirmed that Kiev could use British-supplied weapons to strike Russia’s Crimean Peninsula. London considers the region, which joined Russia in 2014 following a referendum, to be an “integral part of Ukraine,” the defense secretary stated.

When asked by Times Radio about whether London would consider any agreement between Moscow and Kiev, Chapps simply answered: “No.” He then further elaborated that the UK sees “no sense at all” in persuading or “strong-arming” Ukraine into accepting any peace conditions and “giving up some of their territory.”

Apart from Crimea, four other former Ukrainian territories – two Donbass Republics and Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions – joined Russia in autumn 2022 following a series of referendums. Kiev branded the votes a “sham”and claims as its own all four regions and Crimea.

On Tuesday, Chapps maintained that the only way to end the conflict was by inflicting a military defeat on Russia. “I do not think it is plausible at all for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to win this war,” he said, calling for increased arms shipments to Ukraine.

“It is very, very important that the US follows the UK lead. Remember: we’ve just increased our money to Ukraine this year to £3 billion ($3.78 billion), our biggest-ever package,” the defense secretary said, referring to an earlier announcement by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who committed to spend that sum on military support for Ukraine per year.

Chapps also indirectly compared modern Russia to Nazi Germany by saying that “we have been in this position before in Europe and we will simply not allow that to happen again.”

“If you give a bully like Putin an inch, he will take a mile. In this case, he will probably take quite a lot, not just Ukraine. I’m not sure he will stop there either,” Chapps added.

In the years prior to World War II, Western nations are seen as having sought to appease Adolf Hitler, most notably through the infamous 1938 Munich Agreement, under which Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France coerced Czechoslovakia into surrendering its border regions to Germany.

Russia has repeatedly stated throughout the conflict that its goals are to protect the people of Donbass against persecution by Kiev and ensure its own security in light of constant NATO expansion toward its borders. Moscow has also repeatedly pointed to the nationalist nature of the Western-backed post-Maidan governments in Kiev that have persecuted Russian-speaking minorities in Ukraine.

Reuters/RT

In business, you can never win every battle, but you must win the critical ones for your own longevity and the success of your business.

Picking the right ones is more than half the battle. In my experience as a business advisor, I find that many people spend most of their time on the wrong problems, usually due to ego, daily pressures or emotions. You must re-prioritize daily.

For example, I once had a business associate who loved to help his peers, which is a positive attribute, until he was unable to complete his own commitments on time and his career was in jeopardy.

As a business owner, I myself had to learn to depend on skilled partners, rather than jump in and try to solve every business challenge myself, from fund raising to social media.

Here is a summary of my recommendations for picking the right battles in a business environment and how to fight challenges most effectively for satisfaction and growth:

1. Set personal objectives and make your own decisions

Listen to others and seek their input, but don't allow them to make your decision for you. Follow your own interests and business insights to increase satisfaction and long-term success.

Create a personal business plan, with milestones for your own tracking and celebrate each step completed.

2. Help others who have the potential for helping you

By helping others, you will learn from their mistakes, and greatly increase their interest of helping you back.

Both of these results will increase your odds of success on your next decision and step forward. In addition, helping others will give you experience you need in other business domains.

3. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you 

None of us can be experts in all the disciplines required in any business. Build relationships with people who have complimentary skills, rather than "yes" people or just friends and family.

You can then get better guidance and learn more, in order to win on tough issues we all face in business.

4. Become an active listener, and ask more questions

You can't learn anything while talking, so try to spend more your time listening and asking for input.

Pick your battles carefully, since real analysis requires focus and this is required for good decisions and positive outcomes. Be sure to watch body language of others carefully, for more input.

5. Budget your time carefully to work on the right problem

Due to the daily pressures of business, I find that many professionals spend their time on the issue of the day, rather than issues important to their future.

The result is no decision or bad planning leading to personal failure on priority issues. Time management is a major key to business success.

6. Don't let procrastination leave you stuck and frustrated

Tackle the challenges first that are most important to you, rather than trying to solve every problem or seeking to satisfy someone else.

Drive that issue to a conclusion and make a decision. Any decision is better than no decision and it will leave you with the satisfaction of moving forward.

7. Learn things from every setback, no matter how small

Everything learned is a success and step forward, so keep a positive perspective. How well you handle uncertainties by climbing over your hurdles and standing back up after a fall is what will determine your ability to win in the long run. Pick battles that have value in that context.

8. Don't let fear of failure lead you to compromise your values

Use your passion for positive results and confidence in your abilities to overcome the natural fear of failure when approaching any new challenge.

Use your support resources and access to coaching to solidify your mindset and personal values and don't back down prematurely.

9. Never assume a victim mentality in a business challenge

There is no entitlement to success in business, so the only way to win is to take full responsibility for your actions and decisions.

It's easy to blame the economy or some other person for your challenge, but you must learn that there are always more positive alternatives that you can find.

10. Look for innovative alternatives that have never been tried

People who succeed in business recognize that everything is subject to change and innovation and there are very few absolutes.

Make it part of your satisfaction to find that unique solution no one else had yet seen or tried. You become the winner when you outwit your competition.

In my view, the business world is moving faster and faster, making the opportunities for your success even greater.

Don't let your own perseverance wane on any of the critical challenges and dreams you have now or will experience soon. We need your success to feed our own. Make every challenge a win-win.

Inc

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) spearheaded protests against the recent electricity tariff hike, targeting distribution companies (DISCOs) across the country on Monday.

Organized labour mobilized members to oppose the increase in electricity tariff for customers categorized under Band A. Approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on April 3, the tariff surged from N66 to N225 per kilowatt for this classification.

The demonstrations saw the blockade of key DISCOs' headquarters including the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). Additionally, protests were staged at the offices of the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Under the banner "Reverse Electricity Tariff Hike or Face Economy Shutdown," labour unions, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens disrupted operations at DISCOs and NERC offices nationwide. Their demands included not only the reversal of the tariff hike but also a complete reversal of power sector privatization and the recovery of all public electricity assets sold.

In Abuja, demonstrators led by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo converged at NERC's premises, impeding workers' access to offices. Chants of solidarity filled the air as protesters brandished placards bearing messages such as #WeAreNotAGeneratorRepublic, #EnoughOfTheExcusesGiveUsLight, and #LetThePoorBreatheGiveUsAffordableAndConstantPower.

Ajaero criticized the failure of power sector privatization and urged the government to honor agreements made with labour, including halting further tariff increases until certain conditions are met. These conditions encompass a review of the privatization process, de-dollarization of gas supply to electricity generation, and the distribution of prepaid meters to all consumers.

While NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba commended the peaceful demonstration, promising to reconsider some of the demands, protesters remained resolute in their call for a complete reversal of the tariff hike. Their dissatisfaction was palpable, with chants echoing demands for immediate action rather than further deliberation.

Adeyeye Adebiyi, National President of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), highlighted issues such as unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, and victimization of union leaders, exacerbating challenges within the sector.

Labour's discontent extended to government entities as well, with protests staged at the Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Amidst expressions of displeasure, labour leaders emphasized the need for tangible improvements in electricity generation and supply, rejecting additional burdens on Nigerians.

With warnings of a potential total strike looming, labour unions urged swift action from the government, signaling their readiness to escalate protests if demands are not met.

Premium electricity consumers categorised as Band A customers are embracing solar power as an alternative source of energy following the recent tariff hike as well as the high cost of fuel, DARE OLAWIN reports

In Nigeria, the average person is gradually losing the ability to afford electricity as they still struggle to pay for other essentials of life. Since April, many people have seen an increase in their electricity costs of over 300 per cent, as a result of the government’s decision to stop providing subsidies for electricity in areas covered by Band A feeders. They are now considering solar energy as an additional source of renewable and sustainable energy as a result.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, in its supplementary Multi-Year Tariff Order for April, raised the tariff in Band A to N225 per kilowatt-hour from N68. In May, the tariff was reduced to N206.80/kWh, but Nigerians, including organised labour, insisted that the tariff in the 15 per cent Band A feeders be reversed to N68/kWh.

However, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, argued that the tariff could no longer be reversed, as doing so would drag Nigeria into perpetual darkness.

According to Adelabu, the tariff hike is now attracting investors to the power sector, as the cost-reflective tariff is now bringing liquidity to the sector.

The government had insisted that customers on Band A were individuals who could afford the cost of energy without the need for subsidies.

But there are arguments that several indigent persons, including pensioners, traders, farmers, civil servants, artisans and transporters, also live within these Band A feeder locations.

Some of these individuals may get disconnected when they begin to find it hard to fund their electricity bills.

For civil servants and other low-income earners who fall into the premium customer category, electricity appears to have become a luxury in a nation where some state governors have yet to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.

Our correspondent gathered that Nigerians in Band A now get 4.8 units for N1,000 instead of 14 units before the tariff hike. With N30,000, an electricity consumer would get 145 units instead of over 400 units before the subsidy was removed.

Speaking about how much they have spent on electricity since the tariff hike, some Nigerians shared their experiences with The PUNCH.

Oduro Oladunni said: “Before the increase, my house prepaid meter was using an average of N60,000 per month, but since the heavy tariff increase for Band A this month, my household has bought a meter card of N129,00 in April. We now switch off the meter from 7.30 a.m to 6.30 p.m everyday. We now only use light late at night. As a result of the heavy expenditure, we have reduced many things in the house, like food and other household needs. May God touch the heart of this government to reduce this heavy burden.”

Another Band A customer, Adesayo Sulaimon, noted that he formerly spent N12,000 to buy 160 kWh of electricity that he used for 35 days.

“But now, N40,000 is needed to get the same units, which now lasts us for 30 days. In April, we have spent N40,000 for the electricity that we only needed N12,000 to get before April,” Sulaimon stated.

According to Obioma Ejimofor, she currently spends N5,000 every three days to purchase electricity units as a Band A user.

Aside from this, most areas not on the Band A feeders have continued to lament the lower power supply in their areas. While the premium customers are lamenting high tariff, others in Band B to E said they have been abandoned in darkness.

A customer expressed worry, “Since this new tariff regime on April 1 for Band A customers, it is clear that no DisCo has been able to meet up supply to this less than one per cent of Band A customers. The fact remains that DisCos have been pushing all the electricity away from other band users but still cannot meet up.”

On Monday, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, led other Nigerian workers to the NERC head office in Abuja to protest the tariff hike. The nationwide protest halted business activities in various offices of distribution companies in Nigeria.

Speaking at the demonstration, Ajaero challenged the NERC to reveal to Nigerians which power plant it intends to build by the end of the year, claiming that the nation cannot exist on 4,000 megawatts of electricity. He mentioned that if the Mambilla plant was operational, it could produce more than 3,600 MW of electricity.

Ajaero further said that the NERC could not continue to charge tariffs without availability and accessibility to what they were paying for, adding that the commission was creating inflation, for which it would continue to charge Nigerians.

He called on the Federal Government not only to reverse the planned hike but to abolish all forms of tax that could further impoverish Nigerians.

In response to their increased financial burden due to the tariff hike, worsened by the rising cost of petrol and diesel, many Band A electricity customers are switching to solar as their alternative source of power.

Some Nigerians said they would have to review their partnerships with the power companies and opt for solar.

According to a social media commentator, Morris Monye, N65,000 now gives him access to 288 kWh instead of 812 kWh, announcing that he has opted for solar.

Monye posted on X in pidgin, “I don leave una. Solar is the best way to go. No more Band A.”

He explained that he got 20 panels and eight batteries for about N6m.

“I think everyone should go this route,” he advised other Nigerians.

Angel Thomas stated that with N2m he got four solar panels and two big batteries for his mother’s building, noting that his mother’s fridge and water pump were working perfectly.

Amid the desire for solar power lies the concern of affordability. Our correspondent learned that the costs of solar panels and batteries have been on the rise.

Experts have blamed it on Nigeria’s volatile foreign exchange rate.

Another challenge many tenants who have the financial strength to switch to solar have been having is securing the approval of their landlords.

Sulaimon, a resident of Abeokuta, said his landlord did not allow any tenant to install solar panels on his rooftop over fear that it might temper the structural integrity of the roof.

Speaking with our correspondent, the Chief Executive Officer of Pam Africa, a renewable energy company, Patrick Agese, disclosed that the demand for solar power had increased in the last few weeks, following the removal of electricity subsidies.

According to him, many Nigerians desire to have solar panels installed in their homes, but they lack the financial capacity.

He, however, said solar energy companies now offer monthly payment plans to lessen the burden on interested individuals.

“Since the tariff increase, we have recorded about a 60 per cent increase in call rates,” Agese stated.

He explained that calls were coming from Nigerians who wanted to know what it would require to have solar in their houses and offices.

The determination, he added, was to save the amount being expended on energy daily.

The Pam Africa CEO maintained that the majority of the callers had yet to make a final decision due to the cost involved.

Agese noted that ordinarily, a prospective customer would need about two months to conclude whether or not he wants to choose solar as an alternative means of electricity.

He remarked that the cost of installing solar was still more economical compared to the cost of electricity and fuel.

He told The PUNCH that some existing customers had added more to their solar power system after the tariff hike, while others were calling to save energy costs by going solar.

Instead of spending millions of naira on electricity every month, Agese suggested that businesses and individuals could partner with microfinance banks that would help in paying the cost of solar monthly.

The payment, he admonished, should be spread over four to five years.

He advised low-income earners to consider the cheaper alternative if they cannot afford up to N4m or more. With N700,000, Agese said a customer could get the capacity that could power his television set, a standing fan and bulbs.

Agese enunciated that the cost of solar panels was reducing In the international market, saying that the fall of the naira against the dollar was the major issue.

On durability and capacity, the Pam Africa boss pleaded with Nigerians to patronise only qualified service providers while following the instructions of the engineers on what could be powered with the solar system.

The PUNCH notes that streetlights and solar bulbs have gained popularity among Nigerians recently. Traders now use solar bulbs to light up their shops instead of spending money on fuel.

According to the International Energy Agency, solar photovoltaics is expected to grow rapidly, with an average rate of above 50 per cent per year over the next three years” in Nigeria.

In February, the Federal Government said it was planning the construction of renewable power plants to boost electricity generation across the country.

The power minister highlighted that the creation of renewable power plants would be one of his strategies to ensure incremental improvement in the national power supply.

Adelabu mentioned multiple times that areas that are underserved and unserved might require the use of renewable energy sources for power.

As Nigeria faces issues such as energy poverty and fluctuating foreign exchange rates, it is evident that solar power could be a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to some of these challenges.

By adopting solar power, individuals and businesses can reduce their dependence on the national grid, and take steps towards energy independence.

However, concerns about affordability remain a major obstacle, preventing many from accessing this environmentally friendly option.

Punch