Two neighbours on the same street can pay very different prices for the same unit of electricity. The difference is the tariff band their feeder is placed in. Since 2024, the gap between Band A and the other bands has become the biggest factor in what Nigerians pay for power. This guide explains what Bands A to E mean, what each costs per kWh in 2026, how to find out which band you are on, and what to do if you are paying Band A prices for Band C supply.
The short answer: your band is set by how many hours of electricity your feeder is supposed to get each day, from 20 hours or more (Band A) down to 4 to 8 hours (Band E). In areas still regulated by NERC, Band A costs ₦209.50 per kWh under the September 2026 supplementary orders. Bands B to E are subsidised and cost far less, though the exact rate varies by DisCo and band. Some states now set their own tariffs, so check your DisCo’s current tariff sheet.
What the tariff bands mean
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) introduced service-based tariffs in 2020. Instead of everyone paying the same rate, each feeder (the line that supplies your area) is placed in a band according to the minimum hours of supply the DisCo promises to deliver. The more hours promised, the higher the price per unit.
| Band | Minimum supply promised | Who is typically on it |
|---|---|---|
| Band A | 20 hours a day or more | Areas on dedicated or high-priority feeders, many commercial districts and estates |
| Band B | 16 hours a day or more | Many urban residential areas |
| Band C | 12 hours a day or more | Many residential areas |
| Band D | 8 hours a day or more | Areas with limited supply |
| Band E | 4 hours a day or more | Areas with the least reliable supply |
The band belongs to the feeder, not to your house. Everyone on the same feeder is on the same band, which is why one street can be Band A and the next Band B.
How much a unit costs in 2026
Band A
Band A customers pay a cost-reflective tariff with no government subsidy. NERC raised it to ₦225/kWh in April 2024, reduced it to ₦206.80/kWh in May 2024, and it has been around ₦209.50/kWh since July 2024. NERC’s supplementary orders effective 1 September 2026 keep it at that level for customers it still regulates. Some DisCos and state regulators publish slightly different figures, so your DisCo’s tariff sheet is the final word.
Bands B to E
Bands B to E are still subsidised, and their rates have been largely frozen since the 2024 review. They are a fraction of Band A, typically in the region of ₦50 to ₦70 per kWh depending on the DisCo and the band, with Band B the highest of the four. Published figures vary between sources, so check your DisCo’s current tariff order rather than relying on a single number.
States that set their own tariffs
The Electricity Act 2023 allows states to regulate their own electricity markets. Where a state regulator has taken over (Lagos and Enugu, for example), it sets the tariffs for the DisCo in that state, and they can differ from NERC’s. Enugu’s regulator, for instance, approved a lower Band A rate for EEDC customers. If you live in a state with its own regulator, look for that regulator’s tariff order.
How to check your tariff band
- Look at your token receipt or SMS. Most prepaid receipts show your tariff class or band and the rate per kWh. Mabro shows the receipt for every token in your transaction history.
- Check your postpaid bill. The tariff class and rate are printed on it.
- Use your DisCo’s website or app. Many DisCos have a feeder or band lookup using your meter or account number.
- Call or message your DisCo’s customer care. Ask which feeder you are on and which band it is classified as.
- Do the maths. Divide the amount you paid (after any VAT and charges) by the units you received. A result near ₦209 per kWh means Band A.
How to calculate how many units you will get
The basic formula is:
Units (kWh) = amount paid, after VAT and charges ÷ tariff per kWh
| You pay | Band A at ₦209.50/kWh | A subsidised band at ₦60/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| ₦5,000 | about 23.9 kWh | about 83.3 kWh |
| ₦10,000 | about 47.7 kWh | about 166.7 kWh |
| ₦20,000 | about 95.5 kWh | about 333.3 kWh |
These are before VAT and any outstanding debt deducted by the DisCo, so your token will show slightly fewer units. The ₦60 column is only an example of a subsidised rate; use your own band’s rate.
Why your token gives fewer units than you calculated
- VAT. Value added tax is deducted from the amount before units are calculated.
- Debt recovery. If your meter carries an old debt (for example from estimated billing before the meter was installed), the DisCo may deduct a percentage of each purchase until it is cleared.
- Fixed or service charges. Some tariff classes include a fixed charge.
- Wrong tariff class. If a residential meter is set to a commercial class, the rate per unit is higher. Check the class on your receipt.
If the units still do not add up, contact your DisCo with your token receipt and meter number and ask for a breakdown.
How electricity tariffs are set
NERC sets tariffs through the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), which estimates what it costs to generate, transmit and distribute power and how much of that customers pay. Supplementary orders, usually monthly, update the figures for inflation, the exchange rate, gas prices and available generation. The difference between the cost-reflective tariff and what Bands B to E pay is covered by a government subsidy, which is why only Band A pays close to the full cost. Changes to the subsidy are the main reason tariffs move.
Prepaid, postpaid and estimated billing
Bands apply to everyone, but how you pay changes what you experience:
- Prepaid meters charge you only for what you use, at your band’s rate. You buy tokens in advance and can track units as they fall.
- Postpaid meters bill you after use, based on the meter reading.
- Unmetered customers receive estimated bills, which are a common source of disputes. NERC has capped estimated billing; if you are unmetered, apply for a meter through your DisCo or the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.
How long do the units last?
A unit is one kilowatt-hour: a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. Some rough figures:
| Appliance | Typical power | Units used per hour |
|---|---|---|
| LED bulb | 10 W | 0.01 kWh |
| Ceiling fan | 75 W | 0.075 kWh |
| TV (LED, 43″) | 80 W | 0.08 kWh |
| Fridge | 150 W while running | about 1–1.5 kWh a day |
| Pressing iron | 1,000 W | 1 kWh |
| 1HP air conditioner | about 900 W | 0.9 kWh |
| Electric kettle | 2,000 W | 2 kWh |
On Band A, running a 1HP air conditioner for 8 hours a night costs roughly ₦1,500. On a subsidised band, the same use costs a fraction of that, which is why being on the right band matters.
Paying Band A prices without Band A supply?
Band A customers are entitled to at least 20 hours of supply a day. NERC has directed DisCos to downgrade feeders that consistently fail to deliver the hours of their band, and to compensate affected customers in some cases. If you are on Band A and regularly get far less:
- Keep a supply log for two to four weeks, noting when power comes and goes each day.
- Complain to your DisCo in writing (email or the complaint form on its website), quoting your meter number and feeder, and ask for a review of your band. Keep the complaint reference.
- Escalate to the regulator. If the DisCo does not resolve it, take it to the NERC Forum Office for your area, or to your state regulator if your state has one.
- Talk to your neighbours. A complaint from many customers on the same feeder carries more weight.
Ways to cut your electricity spend
- Switch remaining incandescent or fluorescent bulbs to LED.
- Set air conditioners to 24–25°C and close doors and windows while they run.
- Defrost fridges and freezers regularly, and keep their seals clean.
- Iron clothes in one batch instead of a few items every day.
- Switch off water heaters when not needed.
- Unplug chargers and appliances on standby.
- Check that your meter is not shared with a neighbour’s load, and that the reading matches your use.
Buy electricity tokens in seconds
Whichever band you are on, Mabro lets you buy prepaid tokens or pay postpaid bills for every Nigerian DisCo from your wallet. Enter your meter number, check the customer name, pay, and your token arrives instantly in the app and by SMS, with the units and receipt saved in your history. Start on our electricity page, or go straight to your DisCo: IKEDC, EKEDC, AEDC, IBEDC, EEDC, PHED, BEDC, KEDCO, Kaduna Electric, JED, YEDC or Aba Power. If you need help loading the token, read how to load a prepaid meter token.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Band A electricity per kWh in 2026?
About ₦209.50 per kWh for customers under NERC’s September 2026 supplementary orders. Some DisCos and state regulators publish slightly different rates, so check your DisCo’s tariff sheet.
How much is a unit of electricity on Band B, C, D or E?
Bands B to E are subsidised and cost a fraction of Band A, typically in the region of ₦50 to ₦70 per kWh depending on the DisCo and the band. Your DisCo’s current tariff order shows the exact rate.
How many hours of light should Band A get?
At least 20 hours a day. Band B is at least 16 hours, Band C at least 12, Band D at least 8 and Band E at least 4.
How do I know my electricity band?
Check your token receipt or bill, use your DisCo’s website or app, or ask customer care which feeder and band you are on. You can also divide what you paid by the units you received.
How many units will ₦10,000 buy on Band A?
About 47.7 kWh at ₦209.50 per kWh, before VAT and any debt the DisCo deducts.
Can I be moved from Band A to another band?
Yes. NERC has directed DisCos to downgrade feeders that consistently fail to deliver Band A hours. Log your supply, complain to your DisCo in writing, and escalate to the NERC Forum Office or your state regulator if it is not resolved.
Why does my state have a different tariff?
Under the Electricity Act 2023, states can regulate their own electricity markets. Where a state regulator has taken over, it sets tariffs for the DisCo in that state.
Is the band the same for prepaid and postpaid customers?
Yes. The band comes from the feeder that supplies you, whether you use a prepaid meter or receive a postpaid bill.