Nigerians Grapple with Misplaced Government Priorities: Policies Favoring the Elite Amid Growing Hardship

Nigerians have endured escalating economic challenges in recent years, from skyrocketing utility costs to unending fuel price hikes due to various economic policies implemented by the Federal Government.

These struggles, compounded by questionable government policies, raise critical concerns about the Federal Government’s priorities and its seeming inclination to favour private businesses and the elite.

Electricity Distribution: A System Rigged Against the People

The electricity sector exemplifies the plight of ordinary Nigerians. Despite being privatised and owned by individuals, the Federal Government continues to provide financial support to power distribution companies (DisCos). This practice is particularly troubling given the frequent hikes in electricity tariffs.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, recently criticised the government’s electricity policies, describing them as exploitative and fraudulent. He specifically slammed the service-based tariff system that categorizes customers into bands based on the hours of electricity supplied daily:

• Band A: 20 hours of electricity.
• Band B: 16 hours.
• Band C: 12 hours.
• Band D: 8 hours.
• Band E: 4 hours.

This band system, according to Ajaero, is discriminatory and benefits only a select few. He labeled it “the highest level of 419,” a local term synonymous with fraud, questioning why some Nigerians should receive better electricity service than others.

“Why would you discriminate? Why would you give me Band B and give somebody Band A? What are the conditions to be on Band A or Band B? This idea is concocted to make money unnecessarily,” Ajaero said during an interview on Channels Television.

Fuel Price Hikes: Favoring Big Business at the People’s Expense?

The sharp increase in fuel prices, which began after the removal of the fuel subsidy, has exacerbated the financial strain on Nigerians. Many have questioned the timing of these hikes, especially with the imminent commencement of fuel distribution by the Dangote Refinery.

“Why did the NNPCL increase the pump price months before Dangote Refinery starts distribution? Was it to pave the way for the businessman to dominate the market?” an observer recently queried. This sentiment highlights the widespread belief that government decisions are tailored to favor the wealthy while leaving ordinary Nigerians to bear the brunt of economic hardship.

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Government Spending: A Misallocation of Resources

Ajaero also criticized the Federal Government for allocating funds to improve private-owned power companies in the 2025 budget. He argued that these companies should use their revenues to sustain operations instead of relying on public funds.

“These are private companies; why should taxpayers’ money be used to support them? The funds should be redirected toward infrastructure, healthcare, and education, sectors that directly benefit the masses,” he added.

Nigerians’ Daily Struggles

The toll of these policies is evident in the lives of ordinary citizens:

1. Skyrocketing Utility Bills: Many families now pay exorbitant electricity tariffs without enjoying steady power supply.
2. Inflated Fuel Prices: The cost of petrol has driven up transportation and food prices, making life unbearable for low-income earners.
3. Telecom Tariffs: Rising costs of telecom services further strain household budgets, leaving many unable to afford essential communication.

Misplaced Priorities: Favoring the Rich Over the Masses

These challenges point to a larger issue: the government’s tendency to prioritize policies that benefit private entities and big businesses over the needs of its citizens. Whether it’s financial support for DisCos, unregulated fuel price increases, or the discriminatory electricity band system, the common denominator is the marginalization of ordinary Nigerians.

The Way Forward

To address these issues, the Federal Government must:

1. Reassess Budget Allocations: Prioritize public goods and services over private sector bailouts.
2. Regulate Utility Providers: Ensure fair and equitable electricity distribution and pricing.
3. Support Local Refineries: Encourage competition in the oil sector to stabilize fuel prices.
4. Empower Nigerians: Invest in job creation, affordable housing, and social welfare to alleviate economic burdens.

Conclusion

Nigerians deserve a government that prioritizes their welfare over the interests of a select few. Until policies are designed to serve the majority, the country will continue to grapple with inequality and misplaced priorities, leaving millions in perpetual hardship.

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