Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) generated N801.16 billion in revenue from customers between January and April 2026 despite widespread power outages and persistent electricity supply challenges across the country.
Data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) showed that the 11 distribution companies collected N204.74 billion in January, N196.68 billion in February, N196.13 billion in March and N203.61 billion in April.
The figures indicate that although consumers were billed a total of N1.01 trillion during the four-month period, only N801.16 billion was recovered, leaving about N207.77 billion in outstanding payments.
According to the NERC commercial performance reports, January recorded billings of N268.20 billion, with N204.74 billion recovered. In February, billings dropped to N242.29 billion while collections stood at N196.68 billion. March saw customers billed N246.43 billion, with N196.13 billion recovered, while April recorded N252.43 billion in billings and N203.61 billion in collections.
The regulator’s data also revealed continued metering gaps and commercial losses, with significant volumes of electricity supplied to distribution companies going unbilled throughout the period.
Among the distribution companies, Eko Electricity Distribution Company recorded one of the strongest performances, posting a recovery efficiency of 102.09 per cent in April. Port Harcourt, Abuja, Ikeja and Benin DisCos also achieved recovery efficiencies above 85 per cent.
Kaduna, Kano and Jos DisCos, however, recorded the weakest performances. Kaduna posted a recovery efficiency of 43.15 per cent, while Kano and Jos recorded 51.87 per cent and 52.48 per cent respectively.
The revenue growth came despite months of erratic electricity supply triggered by severe gas shortages that disrupted operations at thermal power plants and reduced national power generation.
Operational data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator showed that thermal power plants require about 1.63 billion standard cubic feet of gas daily to operate efficiently. However, actual gas supply fell to about 692 million standard cubic feet per day in February, less than 43 per cent of the required volume, forcing several plants to cut generation.
The supply shortfall led to extensive load shedding across the country, with national electricity generation at some points dropping below 2,000 megawatts before gradually improving toward the end of April.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) has reminded electricity consumers that power distribution companies cannot recover electricity charges older than 12 months, except in cases involving meter tampering, illegal electricity use or obstruction of meter reading.
The commission said the clarification forms part of efforts to educate consumers on their rights and ensure fairness in electricity billing.
