Energy analyst and media executive Ikechukwu Amaechi has strongly criticised Nigeria’s Band A electricity classification, labelling it a fraudulent scheme that fails to deliver on its advertised benefits. Speaking during an appearance on News Central’s Breakfast Central programme on Tuesday, Amaechi, who is also the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Acclaim Communications Limited, said the touted benefits of Band A are far from the reality experienced by many consumers.
According to Amaechi, both his residence and office fall within areas categorised as Band A, a tier supposedly reserved for customers guaranteed at least 20 hours of electricity daily. However, he said the actual supply falls drastically short of that promise.
“This so-called banding of electricity supply, Band A, is a fraud, a complete fraud,” Amaechi asserted. “I live in an area they said is Band A. My office is off Allen, again, Band A. When this Band A thing came, we were told that you must have about 20 hours of electricity supply a day and that if you don’t, you should complain. Go and ask anybody who is in this Band A scam… whether they get up to 10 hours. Where I live, I don’t get up to 10 hours.”
Despite the inadequate supply, Amaechi revealed that his electricity tariff had more than tripled following the reclassification. “My bill has been raised from about N62 per kilowatt-hour to N206 per kilowatt-hour,” he said.
His remarks reflect a broader wave of dissatisfaction across the country, particularly among Band A customers who say they are paying higher tariffs without receiving the promised service improvements. Under the guidelines of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Band A areas are supposed to enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of electricity each day. Yet, numerous consumer accounts—both online and in person—indicate that the actual supply in many of these areas barely crosses the 10-hour mark, with some users reporting outages lasting up to 14 hours daily.
“I feel cheated,” said a Band A resident in Abuja, who chose to remain anonymous. “They said we would be prioritised in electricity distribution. But since the new tariffs started, the situation has actually gotten worse in my area.”
While consumer frustrations grow, NERC has yet to issue a substantial response to the increasing number of complaints alleging that electricity distribution companies (DisCos) are failing to meet their service obligations while charging premium rates.
In light of the ongoing discontent, there are rising calls for the federal government to conduct a thorough audit of the Band A classification system. Critics argue that unless power supply levels are verified and aligned with billing practices, customers should not be subjected to elevated tariffs. Many are demanding accountability from both regulators and service providers to restore trust in the sector.