Business
JUST IN: Manufacturers Rejects 40% Electricity Tariff Hike on Mere 4000MW

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has rejected the planned 40 percent hike in electricity tariff, which will become effective from July 1, calling on the government to shelve the increase until electricity generation , transmission and supply improves in the country.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), had said that the current tariff increase is based on the Service Based Tariff, SBT, benchmarked on an exchange rate of N441/$ and inflation of 16.97 per cent.
It argued that since the value of the naira to the dollar now hovers above N700 and current rate of inflation at 22.45 percent, it is necessary to increase tariff to mitigate operators’ cost of operations.
However, MAN, in its reaction, that beyond the present embattling high prices, starting July a 40 percent hike at this time is simply outrageous.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the Director-General of MAN, said that the expectation of the manufacturers is that the Federal Government and the NERC will ensure improvement in electricity generation, transmission and distribution that will lead to adequate and reliable electricity supply in the country, rather than increasing the tariff on the mere 4000MW to meet all revenue needs of stakeholders in the electricity supply industry.
” Government should ensure that at least 90 percent of electricity consumers are metered to ensure consumption reflective electricity bill payment, formulate electricity policies that will aid investment in energy industry to increase generation capacities that will usher in large scale production of electricity and ensure effective implementation of the recent Electricity Act (2023) that is aimed at increasing the electricity supply in the country,” he said.
The Association urges NERC to
▪︎ Eradicate outrageous bills by closing the metering gap through the liberalization of ultimate users’ access to effective mass metering;
▪︎Ensure the connection of all consumers to the electricity grid to avoid free riding and unfair charges on the few connected consumers;
▪︎ Work on efforts to increase the electricity supply base in order to distribute the total cost among a high number of consumers at a much lower unit cost;
▪︎ States and private investors should rise up to the challenge by taking advantage of the Electricity Act 2023 to eradicate the energy poverty of their people.
Likely Effects of Tariff Hike On Manufacturing industries
As a matter of fact, a further rise in electricity tariff could lead to the following:
i. Costs of production will soar: Higher electricity tariff will directly increase the cost of production for manufacturers. Already, we have energy constituting between 28-40% in the cost structure of manufacturing industries.
You can imagine the impact on manufacturing industries that are energy-intensive such as metal processing, heavy machinery, and chemicals manufacturing.
ii. Profit margins will reduce: A spike in the electricity tariff will erode the profit margin of the manufacturers and reduce their ability to expand operations and create new jobs
iii. High probability of activities paralysis: This is a definite possibility among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are unable to accommodate the higher price.
iv. Potential decrease in the revenue collectable by government: The hike in electricity tariff will reduce the manufacturers’ profitability and by extension the quantum of taxes and fees payable to the three tiers of Government. Manufacturers remain the largest income taxpayer in the country. Therefore, in the event of poor income generation due to high costs of production, the government purse will suffer.
v. Manufacturers will ultimately pass on the additional cost to the consumers of their products: This will increase the cost of local made products in the market and complicate the rising inflation rate in the country.
vi. Recession of manufacturing activities: An increase in electricity tariff will reduce the purchasing capability. One of the resulting effects is the fall in demand and recession of manufacturing activities over time.
vii. The sector’s competitiveness will definitely worsen: The high cost of the products will make locally produced items less competitive, when compared with imported alternatives.
This is also true of exports, as Nigeria products may find it more difficult to penetrate foreign markets. Such a move will restrict our exports earnings because it will be impossible to compete with counterparts in the global trading environment.
viii. High probability of outward investment. Some manufacturing industries may consider shifting production to other economies with lower electricity tariffs and guaranteed availability.
Business
Tax Reform: I rented secret apartment after death threats –Oyedele
These are not small boys and girls,” he said. “They are big people with deep connections and resources. So naturally, they would resist any effort to block those illegal streams.

Oyedele said that the threats began shortly after he announced a clampdown on more than 60 government agencies illegally collecting taxes and levies across the country.
Chairman of Nigeria’s Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that he was forced to flee his home and now lives in a secret location under armed police protection after receiving death threats linked to his tax reform efforts.
The Guardian reports that during a live radio interview on Nigeria Info FM, Oyedele said that the threats began shortly after he announced a clampdown on more than 60 government agencies illegally collecting taxes and levies across the country.
“I had to pack out of my house,” he said. “I rented a place in a secret location where I now live. I’m not the kind of person who wants anybody carrying a gun to follow me around, but I had to accept mobile police protection.”
”Oyedele, a former Africa Tax Lead at PwC, has led the drive to simplify and clean up Nigeria’s tax system.
He described the backlash as unexpected but driven by powerful individuals who had turned tax collection into a personal revenue stream.
“These are not small boys and girls,” he said. “They are big people with deep connections and resources. So naturally, they would resist any effort to block those illegal streams.”
Business
Dangote Refinery Planning 1.6m Barrels Fuel Storage Tanks in Namibia
The storage tanks would be used to supply petrol and diesel to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Dangote petroleum refinery will construct storage tanks in Namibia to hold at least 1.6 million barrels of petrol and diesel to supply refined fuel to southern Africa.
Reuters reports that the storage tanks would be used to supply petrol and diesel to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Dangote was also considering supplying fuel to southern Democratic Republic of Congo, the sources said.
It was not immediately clear how much the project would cost, but the second source said construction of the storage tanks would begin shortly in the port city of Walvis Bay.
The move underscores the refinery’s ambition to dominate fuel supply in Africa and beyond, potentially reshaping energy trade flows in the region and boosting access to refined products for southern African nations.
Business
UBA Announces Strategic Expansion into Key Markets Across Africa

UBA Group senior executives have concluded the Group’s Half Year Business Review, which was held at the global headquarters in Lagos Nigeria.
UBA Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, brought together executives responsible for UBA’s twenty-four countries of operation.
He said “the gathering was an opportunity to restate the Group’s pan-African strategy, and commitment to further expanding the Group’s coverage across high potential markets across Africa, while also deepening its operations in its existing twenty African presence markets.
“With over 51.7% of Group revenues from ex Nigerian operations, UBA’s journey to being Africa’s most diversified financial services group was clearly in evidence.”
The international strategic intent reinforces with the Group’s intention to deliver innovative financial solutions to its fast-growing global customer base.
The strategy demonstrates UBA’s unique position as Africa’s global bank and ability to leverage growth opportunities in emerging and leading African markets.
The Group commenced its Pan African journey, with its entry into Ghana in 2004, followed by rapid expansion into 18 additional African markets.
Today, as a resilient and future-focused institution, UBA continues to push boundaries by connecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa.
Mr Alawuba highlighted the Group’s expansion plans, disclosing that the Group is excited about the vast opportunities that the new markets present, a testament to UBA Group’s confidence in the African economy, providing world-class banking services that meet the continent’s evolving needs.
He noted that: “UBA’s vision is clear – we are building a truly global institution anchored in Africa, but serving customers across continents”.
“Further strategic expansion positions us to unlock new opportunities, support intra-Africa trade, and deliver world-class banking experiences wherever our clients choose to do business,” Alawuba said.
“In Europe, UBA has operations in the United Kingdom and upgrading its license in France, expanding its capacity to serve cross-border trade, investment flows, and the African diaspora, complementing our over 40-year presence in NY.”
These moves signal a clear message of UBA’s intent to reshape the competitive landscape”, Alawuba further said.
As part of the Group’s plan to expand its global presence, UBA, in January, announced plans to open operations in Saudi Arabia.
Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees’ group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally.
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