Research Meets Consumer Advocacy: Key Takeaways from NISER High-Level Seminar

In August, the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) hosted the August edition of its Research Seminar Series in Ibadan, themed “Balancing Electricity Tariffs and Consumers’ Wallets: Insights from Nigerian Households and Firms’ Ability to Pay.” The seminar brought together policymakers, academics, consumer advocates, industry leaders, and media professionals for a conversation about energy affordability in Nigeria. The seminar was chaired by Dr. Hassan Mahmud, President of the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics.

Key findings revealed troubling realities:

• Households: 79% of Nigerians consider the new electricity tariffs unaffordable, with many households spending more than ever on energy while still averaging only 10 hours of supply daily. In Lagos, nearly 9 out of 10 households reported being unable to meet the costs.
• Firms: On average, electricity now accounts for 82% of monthly production expenses, pushing businesses to adopt costly alternatives like solar and petrol generators.
• Mixed Progress: While 87% of firms acknowledged some improvement in supply, reliability remains inconsistent, undermining competitiveness and productivity.

As part of the high-level dialogue, our Executive Director, Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, brought the consumer perspective to the table. For CADEF, affordability and fairness are non-negotiable pillars of any energy reform.

We believe electricity should not only be sustainable but also accessible and affordable for Nigerians at every level. This is why we developed the Renew Energy Naija one-stop shop, a bold step towards addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges through a consumer-first, web platform. Designed to empower individuals and businesses with reliable, renewable energy options, the one-stop shop marked a milestone in CADEF’s commitment to accessible, inclusive energy solutions.

Visit the Renew Energy Naija one-stop shop: der.cadefng.org to explore how you can take the first step toward affordable, renewable energy.