The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has expressed outrage over what he described as “crazy electricity billing” after his residence received a staggering N29 million power bill for April—up from N2.7 million in March.
Speaking at a roundtable meeting in Victoria Island on Monday, Hamzat revealed the situation while addressing issues related to power supply, billing, and rural electrification in Lagos. The event was organised to mark the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Lagos State Government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) aimed at providing solar power to rural communities.
The Deputy Governor, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, did not hold back as he shared his personal frustration with Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko DisCo). According to him, even after paying for a prepaid meter, the DisCo failed to install it and continued to send inflated estimated bills.
“Last month, in my house, or the state house that I live in, the bill was N2.7m. This month, Eko DisCo sent us a bill of N29m,” Hamzat said. “I bought a meter to say, ‘Don’t give estimated billing.’ I bought the meter, but to convert it is wahala [trouble].”
He also narrated a similar incident affecting a resident in the Coker Aguda area of Surulere, who received a N2.8 million electricity bill despite paying N2 million in annual rent. “How can the bill be more than the man’s rent for a year?” Hamzat questioned, calling the situation unsustainable and unjust for everyday Lagosians.
Hamzat said the lack of prepaid meters and reliance on arbitrary billing is worsening the economic pressure on households, especially low-income earners. “Our people are suffering because of estimated billing,” he said.
Despite the billing crisis, Hamzat lauded the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Biodun Ogunleye, for securing the partnership with the REA to expand energy access in underserved parts of the state.
Ogunleye, speaking at the event, described the partnership with the REA as a transformative opportunity to bring stable electricity to communities that have long been left behind.
“Opportunities for those who never thought in their lifetime they would experience or live within an environment where there will be a constant and stable supply of electricity,” Ogunleye said. He noted that while the REA has implemented projects in other states, Lagos remains a critical touchpoint for development.
Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, confirmed that the agency has identified target communities for the rural electrification initiative and is seeking the state government’s approval to construct an 8-megawatt floating solar plant at the University of Lagos.
Aliyu said the solar project, if approved, would not only serve the university but also surrounding communities, significantly boosting clean and consistent power supply in the area.
The roundtable discussions concluded with stakeholders pledging greater collaboration to tackle the ongoing power crisis in Lagos and explore innovative energy solutions that are both sustainable and accessible.
