By Hadiza Galadima
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a landmark directive to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The goal? To make electricity cost-sharing across Federal, State, and Local governments more practical and transparent.
Starting with the 2026 budget, the era of the Federal Government carrying the subsidy burden alone is coming to an end.
Tanimu Yakubu, Director General of the Budget Office, revealed the plan during a training session in Abuja.
The message was clear. If any level of government wants to lower electricity prices for its citizens, it must prove exactly how it will fund that discount.
By tracking these costs, the government aims to prevent “hidden debts” that threaten to bankrupt the power sector.
The new policy is designed to align political benefits with financial responsibilities. Yakubu emphasized that this isn’t about penalizing states, but about alignment.
“If any tier of government chooses affordability interventions, the funding responsibilities must be clear, agreed, and enforceable.” Tanimu Yakubu, DG Budget Office
By sharing the financial load, the administration believes there will be a stronger collective push for a more efficient power.
This shift ensures that when a policy benefit is shared, the cost is shared too. It marks the end of “pretending” the Federal Government can foot the bill for everyone, paving the way for a more sustainable and reliable energy future for all Nigerians.
