News
Customers pay N1.13tn electricity bill despite massive blackouts
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
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.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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