Nigerian DisCos Recover N196.13bn From March Electricity Bills, Leaving Over N50bn Unpaid

Nigerian DisCos recover N196.13bn from March electricity bills, leaving over N50bn unpaid Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies DisCos collected N196.13 billion from customers in March 2026, recovering nearly 80 per cent of the N246.43 billion billed during the month, according to industry data released by the power sector. The figures indicate that more than N50 billion in electricity bills remained unpaid by consumers nationwide. The data showed that the country’s 11 electricity distribution companies achieved a collection efficiency of 79.59 per cent, highlighting persistent challenges in revenue recovery despite ongoing reforms aimed at improving the financial health of the power sector. Industry records revealed that while DisCos billed customers a total of N246.43 billion in March, only N196.13 billion was recovered, leaving an outstanding revenue gap of approximately N50.3 billion. The shortfall underscores continuing issues such as customer payment defaults, inadequate metering, energy theft, and billing disputed

Analysts note that poor bill recovery continues to affect liquidity across Nigeria’s electricity value chain, limiting the ability of distribution companies to meet obligations to generation companies and other market participants. Among the distribution companies, Ikeja Electric recorded the highest revenue collection, recovering N40.30 billion from N41.82 billion billed to customers. Eko Electricity Distribution Company followed with N33.89 billion collected from N38.65 billion billed. Abuja Electricity Distribution Company posted the highest total billing figure at N45.92 billion, of which it collected N34.81 billion. Other notable performers included Benin Electricity Distribution Company, which recovered N15.11 billion from N16.62 billion billed, and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, which collected N14.58 billion from N18.11 billion.The report also highlighted weak performances by some operators. Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company recorded one of the lowest recovery rates, collecting only N4.66 billion from N12.10 billion billed. Jos Electricity Distribution Company recovered N6.74 billion from N11.63 billion, while Kano Electricity Distribution Company collected N9.74 billion from N13.72 billion billed. Industry experts say these disparities reflect ongoing operational and commercial challenges across different distribution networks, particularly in areas with lower metering penetration and higher energy losses. Stakeholders have repeatedly warned that weak revenue recovery threatens the sustainability of Nigeria’s electricity market. According to industry observers, improving metering coverage, reducing energy theft, enhancing billing accuracy, and strengthening customer confidence will be critical to boosting collections and attracting investment into the sector. The latest figures come as regulators intensify efforts to improve market liquidity through wider metering programmes and stricter enforcement measures across the electricity distribution segment.