Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) collected a total of N204.74 billion in January 2026 despite widespread blackouts across Nigeria.
This is according to data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The poor power supply recorded during the period was linked to a sharp decline in electricity generation, worsened by gas supply constraints.
Gas suppliers had cut supply to generation companies over debts exceeding $1.3 billion, forcing output to drop to about 2,000 megawatts at the start of the year.
The NERC report showed that Ikeja Electric recorded the highest revenue at N38.8 billion, followed by Abuja and Eko DisCos, which posted N35.88 billion each.
At the lower end, Yola DisCo generated N4.55 billion, while Kaduna Electric and Jos DisCo recorded N10.04 billion and N13.09 billion respectively.
Further analysis revealed that although the DisCos received electricity valued at N336.43 billion, only N268.2 billion was billed to customers, representing a billing efficiency of 79.7 per cent.
Reacting to the figures, Chijoke James, chairman of the electricity consumers association of Nigeria criticised what he described as persistent inefficiencies and exploitative practices within the sector.
“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 said.
Meanwhile, the regulator maintained that there are no immediate plans to increase electricity tariffs, despite ongoing challenges in the power sector.
