An energy analyst, Nick Agule, has asserted that the cost of electricity supply in the United Kingdom is lower than what consumers pay in Nigeria, despite the UK enjoying a more stable power supply.
Agule made the assertion during an appearance on Arise Television, on Wednesday, 4th of February, 2026, where he weighed in on Nigeria’s power sector challenges and subsidy framework.
His comments come against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s plan to restructure electricity subsidies from 2026 by involving state and local governments in funding the scheme. This proposed arrangement represents a departure from the existing system in which the Federal Government shoulders the bulk of the subsidy burden.
The discussion is also unfolding amid recurring failures of the national power grid, which collapsed twice within a single week in January, further underscoring systemic weaknesses in the electricity sector.
Commenting on the policy direction, Agule noted that states should play a more active financial role in electricity provision, in line with the powers granted to them under the Electricity Act of 2022.
“I agree that now that states have the responsibility to create electricity markets in their domains, per the 2022 Electricity Act, they should also contribute to the subsidy discussion.
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“This should be a first-line charge from states and local governments from the Federation Account.
“However, the government seems to be addressing the symptom of the accumulated debts in the electricity sector instead of tackling the root cause.
“I pay more for electricity in Nigeria than I pay for constant electricity in the UK. Why is the government subsidising the telecom services? And that is where the question is. That’s the real issue.”