Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Urges Citizens to Know Their Rights for Better Service

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has emphasized the importance of citizens understanding their rights to receive quality service from electricity providers.

This call to action was made by Aisha Mahmoud, NERC’s Commissioner for Customer Affairs, during a 3-day Customer Complaints Resolution Town Hall Meeting held in Osogbo.

According to Mahmoud, the meeting was organized to address customer complaints and gather feedback from electricity consumers. She noted that most Nigerians are unaware of their rights, which include demanding services when paying for electricity. Mahmoud explained that NERC has regulations and information on its website, but many citizens are not aware of them.

NERC’s objective is to educate customers on their rights and obligations regarding electricity services. Mahmoud stated, “We do know that most Nigerians don’t know their rights, even though they have a lot of rights… When they pay for electricity, they are not just paying for electricity, but they are also paying for services.” She emphasized that customers should insist on receiving quality services from providers.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for electricity distribution companies to share their efforts in improving customer satisfaction. Representing the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Angela Olanrewaju said the company is committed to ensuring customers are adequately metered and properly billed. Additionally, IBEDC aims to exceed a 90% response rate to customer complaints.

To learn more about your rights, you can visit the NERC website or contact your local customer complaints unit.