₦airaland Forum

Electricity distribution companies in Nigeria collected a total of N1.13tn in revenue from their customers over the six months spanning the second and third quarters of 2025 (April to September), according to detailed monthly performance data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

This is despite repeated complaints of low power supply among electricity consumers and incessant cases of blackouts in many locations nationwide.

During the period under review, the national power grid suffered a total collapse, plunging customers into darkness. At the same time, GenCos (power generation companies) reported a reduction in power generation due to the low gas supply to power plants as a result of unpaid debts.

Despite this, the NERC report on monthly revenue performance and collection efficiency, covering the 11 DisCos, stated that the total revenue collected by all DisCos in 2025/Q3 was N570.25bn out of the N706.61bn that was billed to customers.

This translates to a collection efficiency of 80.70 per cent. In comparison, the total revenue collected by all DisCos in 2025/Q2 was N564.71bn out of the N742.34bn billed to customers, which translated to a 76.07 per cent collection efficiency.

The summation of both quarters indicates that power users paid N1.13tn to the distribution companies as electricity bills for the six months. This means that at an aggregate level, DisCos recorded a 4.63 pp increase in collection efficiency between 2025/Q2 and 2025/Q3.

In 2025/Q3, Ikeja DisCo recorded the highest collection efficiency of 100 per cent, while three other DisCos recorded collection efficiencies greater than 80 per cent: Eko, 88.74 per cent; Benin, 86.44 per cent; and Abuja, 81.60 per cent. Conversely, Kaduna DisCo recorded the lowest collection efficiency at 45.67 per cent.

A comparison of DisCos’ performance shows that Ikeja (+17.58 percentage points), Port Harcourt (+8.83 pp), Yola (+8.72 pp), Abuja (+5.24 pp), Jos (+4.90 pp), Eko (+0.94 pp), and Benin (+0.89 pp) DisCos recorded improvements in collection efficiency between 2025/Q2 and 2025/Q3.

Conversely, the remaining four DisCos recorded declines in collection efficiency, with Kaduna (-2.70 pp) and Ibadan (-1.34 pp) DisCos having the most significant declines across the quarters.


From April to June 2025, N564.67bn was collected, translating to N197.08bn in April, N188.70bn in May, and N178.89bn in June. In the third quarter, when revenue grew to N570.28bn, a sum of N190.52bn was recovered in July, N187.47bn in August, and N192.29bn in September.

The six-month total of N1.13tn reflects a modest increase in absolute collections from Q2 to Q3, despite a decline in total billing between the two quarters. This contributed to the overall improvement in collection efficiency by 4.63 percentage points in Q3 compared to Q2.

The data underscores ongoing efforts by DisCos to enhance revenue recovery amid challenges such as estimated billing, energy theft, and infrastructure constraints. Collections in September 2025 (N192.29bn) represented the highest monthly figure in the period, indicating some stabilisation.

Individual DisCo performances varied widely, with urban-based operators like Ikeja exceeding 100 per cent efficiency in Q3 due to possible legacy recoveries and Eko leading in recovery rates, while northern DisCos such as Kaduna, Jos, and Kano lagged significantly.

“In 2025/Q3, energy accounting and collection efficiencies increased by 1.37 pp and 4.63 pp, respectively, compared to 2025/Q2. Based on historical trends, this increase in efficiencies across the two quarters can be attributed to the decreased energy offtake (-6.08 per cent) during the quarter compared to 2025/Q2.

“It has been observed that there is an inverse relationship between DisCos’ energy offtake and their energy accounting/collection efficiencies. Typically, when DisCos take less energy, they often prioritise areas where they record historically lower energy accounting and collection inefficiencies.

NERC noted that accurate metering is needed to boost collection efficiencies. “The most proven methods to improve energy accounting and revenue recovery are accurate customer enumeration and the installation of end-use customer meters.

“The commission issued the order on the operationalisation of Tranche A of the Meter Acquisition Fund in 2024/Q2. The Order directed DisCos to utilise the first tranche of disbursement from the MAF scheme to procure and install meters for unmetered Band A customers within their franchise areas.

“The first tranche of MAF ended in June 2025 and recorded a total meter installation of 107,461 for Band A customers. Subsequently, the commission issued the Order on the operationalisation of MAF tranche B in September 2025, and the Order provides that DisCos could utilise N28bn out of the funds that have accrued in the MAF for the metering of Bands A and B customers in their franchise area,” the report added.

Source: https://punchng.com/consumers-pay-n1-13tn-electricity-bill-despite-blackouts

Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

It's not your fault. Had it been your areas is under Band D or Band E you will get to know the truth...........

lol...It sounds like a lot of money

But

1.We need ten trillion yearly for the next ten years, at least, before we see power improve to 24 hours a day power
2.That's the money from those who actually pay, not those who bypass their meters, and steal power.
3.The majority of those who actually do pay...either underpay, or pay subsidised rate, with a minority paying band A or cost reflective rates.

One trillion eh? A gas powered station generating 5000 MW will cost 10 trillion naira.

Newspapers and media should put things in context. Just because na trillion does not mean it is enough.

adenigga:
It's not your fault. Had it been your areas is under Band D or Band E you will get to know the truth...........

My area only sees around 7 hours of light daily , and out of that 7 hours … 5 hours of light is at night.. when the whole world is asleep

This is one of the extortion that we are talking about

These guys will not distribute prepaid metres to areas under band C, D, & E but will be giving them estimated billings anyhow. Consumers need to team up and demand for prepaid metres. If distribution companies cannot give them prepaid metres, they should stop paying estimated billings. How can someone under Band E with cumulative power supply of less than 1kwh be charged 5k naira & above in a month? That's pure robbery

We pay for blackouts in Nigeria. I pity those charged on estimated billings.

I keep saying it that power business in Nigeria is the most profitable business in the country. You buy\do everything yourself, they supply you darkness, bring bills and you will be forced through the instrumentality of govt to pay for the darkness

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

na thunder go fire this your miuth
20 hour where? Does that equate to all or the 5 days no light for our side?

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

Una go just open mouth waaaaa

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

I know you will be the first to spew nonsense

My Area is under Band A and paying premium but i don't know the last time we had more than 10 hrs of supply

I heard a loud noise around 12 o'clock this morning. It's our transformer that got exploded.

Who should replace or repair the transformer the community or the IKEDC?

What is the rocket science behind stable electricity in other countries, that Nigeria cannot afford. Is it that difficult?

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

Please if you don't have anything sensible to say just keep shut. Most band A users in Lagos don't even see light for up to 5 hours a day anymore.

oz4real83:
I keep saying it that power business in Nigeria is the most profitable business in the country. You buy everything yourself, they supply you darkness and you will pay for the datkness

If you were running a business where only 20% of people pay the price you set that would enable you remain solvent, and the rest underpay or do not pay at all, and government subsidy payments are not coming in for those on subsidised prices, you go call that profitable?

You don't know the seriousness of the problem. 1.2 trillion is not going to fix power. Especially since most of that income is going for salaries and debts, very limited amount for actual fixing of power.

10-15 trillion or more is what this country power sector needs on a yearly basis. Before it makes sense.

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

very annoying thing.always capping thrash

Coder2Client:
I heard a loud noise around 12 o'clock this morning. It's our transformer that got exploded.

Who should replace or repair the transformer the community or the IKEDC?

Both
Make una put heads together

That's the country you people believe will move forward under APC..

You guys should keep dreaming, imagine a country with over 200million people still. Begging to get stable light and at the end of the day, you are still forced to pay heavily

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

You guys are very pathetic with your stupid defense. I stay in Osapa London in Lekki Area and we are in Band A, nobody is seeing up to ten hours of electricity. You guys should stop this foolishness in the name of defense.

Some areas in Lakwe , Awoyaya won't see light for three straight days. This is Lagosooo.

What happens to remote areas in the village.

Ask yourself simple question, HOW MANY KILOWATS OF ELECTRICITY ARE WE GENERATING AS A NATION? Find out the answer and your will see how lame your submission is.

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

may God treat you and your family the same way that the bedc you are praising are treating my area

I guess those without prepaid meter

See with the level of corruption in Nigeria, I don't see us enjoying stable electricity in the next 4 years..

But what do I know.

The EFCC needs to look into the power sector

The first person to comment needs a lot of mentions to earn his daily bread. He's a data boy always defending nonsense.

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

😂

Keep on deceiving yourself

Less than 5% of Nigerians enjoys stable power supply

This festive period no light at all, I dey wait for them to bring bill this January. Na thunder go fire them.

Oo0Oo0Oo0:
The first person to comment needs a lot of mentions to earn his daily bread. He's a data boy always defending nonsense.

You get it
Seun messenger

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

Are you okay? So how did Nigerians get 15-20 hours of electricity? Is there increase in power generation?

You guys are really pathetic.

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

Most?
Merchant of lies!!
5,000 megawatts is enough for most Nigerians?
You guys will sit in one hole and be talking about the whole of Nigeria.

Even without traveling, common sense should tell anyone that 5,000 megawatts is too poor for 180 million people.

seunmsg:
Apart from occasional times when the national grid has issues, most Nigerian households enjoy a minimum of 15-20 hours of electricity in urban areas. So, which blackouts are they talking about?

are you 🤔 people not tired of suffering 🤔 is suffering you people birth right as a nigeriacitizens.? Is this how normal humans enjoying light? If nigeria citizens enjoy basic amenities as a citizens in Nigerian now bad thing?

The minister for Power is the most useless being for this Tinubu administration

donleo92:
See with the level of corruption in Nigeria, I don't see us enjoying stable electricity in the next 4 years..

But what do I know.

The EFCC needs to look into the power sector

EFCC? Those one will be laughing reading this comment