Tension is rising in Akure, the Ondo State capital, as angry residents have accused the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) of secretly increasing electricity tariffs, describing the move as exploitative, insensitive, and anti-people.
The development, which reportedly took effect from October 1, 2025, has sparked outrage across the city, with residents threatening to mobilize for a mass protest if the hike is not immediately reversed.
According to findings, the hardest-hit areas include Alagbaka GRA, Ijapo Estate, and Ijapo Extension, where customers lamented that the number of electricity units they receive for the same amount of money has dropped drastically without notice or explanation.
“I used to buy N100,000 worth of electricity and got thousands of units,” said Mr. Adeola Ipinlaye, a resident of Alagbaka. “Now, the same N100,000 gives me just about 300 units. This is wickedness and daylight robbery.”
Another resident, Mrs. Kehinde, said her family can no longer cope.
“The N10,000 that used to give me over 200 units now gives just 44 units. Those units don’t even last a week. We are tired of paying more for less,” she lamented.
A vending agent who spoke anonymously confirmed that customers have been complaining bitterly since the beginning of the month.
“Before now, N5,000 gave over 100 units, then it reduced to 80, and now people get around 22 units. Everyone is angry and confused,” he said.
Civil society groups and consumer rights advocates in Ondo State have joined the outcry, accusing BEDC of exploiting helpless citizens under the guise of regulation.
The groups vowed to petition the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and organize a peaceful protest across BEDC offices in the state if the situation is not addressed.
“BEDC cannot continue to extort Nigerians with impunity. If NERC fails to act, the people will,” one activist warned.
Efforts to reach BEDC officials in Akure for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
