Out of Touch? TCN Boss’ condescending remark on Electricity hike

The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz, has stirred controversy with his recent remarks on electricity tariffs, drawing sharp criticism for appearing disconnected from the reality faced by millions of Nigerians.

Despite the recent steep tariff hike, Abdulaziz compared Nigeria’s electricity costs to those of neighboring countries like Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal, suggesting Nigerians are still paying less.

“Electricity is now expensive in Nigeria, we are feeling it is expensive because we are getting it at a cheaper price. If you go to other African countries… still, now, Nigeria is cheaper,”

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But here’s the issue: the TCN boss’s comments miss the mark. It’s not about comparing Nigeria’s rates with those of other countries—it’s about understanding the crushing economic burdens faced by Nigerians at home.

The timing of the tariff increase, on top of skyrocketing living costs following the removal of fuel subsidies, has left many families struggling to make ends meet.

For Abdulaziz to justify the hike by pointing to other African nations not only feels dismissive but ignores the core issue: the affordability crisis in Nigeria.

Moreover, while Abdulaziz boasted about 24-hour electricity for those in Band A, the reality for most Nigerians is starkly different. Power supply remains erratic for many, and the benefits are not felt equally across the country.

Nigerians deserve real solutions and empathy from those in power, not comparisons that further alienate them from the leadership.

At a time when economic hardship is at an all-time high, Nigerians need action and compassion—not excuses wrapped in misleading comparisons.