Electricity distribution companies saw a shortfall of more than N202 billion in revenue collections for the first quarter of 2025, despite an increase in electricity billing nationwide.
This was as data revealed that electricity billing by distribution companies increased by 106.68 per cent or N393.26bn year-on-year from the same period in 2024.
According to the latest report published by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the 12 power distribution companies, also known as Discos, billed customers a total of N761.91bn between January and March 2025.
However, only N559.3bn was collected during the period, translating to a revenue collection efficiency of 73.4 per cent and a shortfall of N202.61bn or 26.6 per cent.
This performance is slightly improved compared to the same period in 2024, when the Discos collected N291.62bn out of N368.65bn billed, representing a collection efficiency of 79.1 per cent and a shortfall of N77.03bn.
However, the quantum of revenue lost in 2025 more than doubled year-on-year, and the percentage of revenue lost due to non-payment increased.
The performance indicates an improvement in volume from the total revenue collected by all Discos in 2024/Q4, which was N509.84bn out of the N658.40bn that was billed to customers. A detailed breakdown of the figures showed wide disparities in the performance of the Discos.
While some recorded moderate improvements, others still grappled with significant revenue gaps, raising fresh concerns over the financial viability of Nigeria’s power sector.
