Consumers Paid ₦1.13tn Despite Blackouts

Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in Nigeria generated a total of ₦1.13 trillion in revenue from customers between April and September 2025, covering the second and third quarters of the year, according to monthly performance data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The figure was recorded despite persistent complaints from consumers over poor power supply and frequent blackouts across the country.

During the six-month period, electricity users experienced severe disruptions, including a total collapse of the national power grid, which left many areas without electricity for extended periods. Power generation companies (GenCos) also reported reduced output, largely due to inadequate gas supply to power plants, a situation linked to mounting unpaid debts in the sector.

NERC’s report on revenue performance and collection efficiency for the 11 DisCos showed that in Q3 2025, the companies collected ₦570.25 billion out of ₦706.61 billion billed to customers, resulting in a collection efficiency of 80.70 per cent. This represented an improvement over Q2 2025, when DisCos recovered ₦564.71 billion from ₦742.34 billion billed, translating to a 76.07 per cent collection efficiency.

Combined, the two quarters indicate that consumers paid ₦1.13 trillion in electricity bills within six months. Overall, DisCos recorded a 4.63 percentage-point increase in collection efficiency from Q2 to Q3, despite a decline in total billing during the period.

In terms of individual performance, Ikeja DisCo recorded the highest collection efficiency in Q3 at 100 per cent. Other strong performers included Eko DisCo with 88.74 per cent, Benin DisCo with 86.44 per cent, and Abuja DisCo with 81.60 per cent. On the other hand, Kaduna DisCo posted the weakest performance, recording a collection efficiency of 45.67 per cent.

Quarterly comparisons showed that Ikeja DisCo achieved the most significant improvement, with a 17.58 percentage-point increase between Q2 and Q3. Port Harcourt, Yola, Abuja, Jos, Eko, and Benin DisCos also recorded varying levels of improvement. Conversely, four DisCos experienced declines in efficiency, with Kaduna and Ibadan recording the sharpest drops.

Monthly data revealed that ₦564.67 billion was collected between April and June, while collections rose slightly to ₦570.28 billion from July to September. September 2025 recorded the highest monthly collection at ₦192.29 billion, suggesting some level of stabilisation in revenue recovery.

NERC attributed the improvement in collection efficiency partly to reduced energy offtake, noting an inverse relationship between the volume of electricity distributed and collection performance. The commission also emphasised the importance of accurate metering in boosting revenue recovery.

To address metering gaps, NERC highlighted progress under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme. Tranche A, which ended in June 2025, led to the installation of 107,461 meters for unmetered Band A customers. Under MAF Tranche B, launched in September 2025, DisCos are permitted to utilise ₦28 billion to expand metering for Band A and B customers nationwide.