DisCos raked in N204bn in January despite poor supply — NERC

By Obas Esiedesa

Despite widespread blackouts recorded in January, 2026, electricity distribution companies (DisCos) collected N204.74 billion from customers, data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed.  

Power supply across the country dropped drastically in December 2025 and this was compounded in January 2026 when gas suppliers cut supply to generation companies over $1.3 billion debts.  

The action over the gas suppliers dropped supply to around 2,000 megawatts at the beginning of the year.

NERC showed that the highest revenue was collected by Ikeja Electric at N38.8 billion. Followed by Abuja and Eko DisCos at N35.88 billion.  

The least collections were made by Yola DisCo at N4.55 billion, Kaduna Electric and Jos DisCo at N10.04 billion and N13.09 billion respectively. The factsheet on commercial performance of distribution companies also showed that while the DisCos received energy worth N336.43 billion, the utilities sent out bills worth N268.2 billion recording a billing efficiency of 79.7 percent.  

Speaking to Vanguard, Chairman, Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria, Chijoke James, said the report continued a pattern of extortionist tendency by the distribution companies.  

“You should not be surprised because the customers who bore the brunt of inefficiencies in the sector are those without meters. They continued to pay for services not rendered. This is the reason the companies will continue to resist the federal government’s attempts to ensure that all customers are metered”, he stated.