Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) show that revenue collected by DisCos rose from ₦218.16 billion in the first half of 2018 to approximately ₦1.2 trillion in the first half of 2026, an increase of about 450 per cent.
Over the same period, electricity supplied grew by just 4.8 per cent, from 16,861 gigawatt-hours to 17,668 gigawatt-hours. Average available generation capacity also fell by 41 per cent, from 7,565.5 megawatts to 4,456 megawatts.
The figures further show that DisCos collected ₦1.2 trillion out of approximately ₦1.9 trillion worth of electricity received in the first half of 2026, leaving about ₦700.53 billion uncollected.
On an annual basis, revenue collections increased from about ₦302.93 billion in 2016 to ₦2.32 trillion in 2025. However, annual electricity supply declined by about 15.7 per cent between 2024 and 2025.
The figures have renewed questions about whether consumers are receiving better service in return for higher electricity payments, more than a decade after the sector’s privatisation.
Power sector stakeholders have called for stronger regulatory enforcement, closer monitoring of distribution companies’ infrastructure investments and improved consumer protection.
The challenge remains how to translate revenue growth into more reliable electricity for households and businesses across Nigeria.
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Summary
Electricity distribution companies collected ₦1.2 trillion in the first half of 2026, up sharply from 2018, while electricity supply grew by just 4.8% over the same period, raising fresh questions about service delivery and investment. Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have recorded a sharp rise in revenue, but the increase has not been matched by comparable improvements in...
Key takeaways
- Electricity distribution companies collected ₦1.2 trillion in the first half of 2026, up sharply from 2018, while electricity supply grew by just 4.8% over the same period, raising fresh questions about service delivery and investment.
- Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have recorded a sharp rise in revenue, but the increase has not been matched by comparable improvements in electricity supply, raising concerns about service delivery and investment in the power sector.Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) show that revenue collected by DisCos rose from ₦218.16 billion in the first half of 2018 to approximately ₦1.2 trillion in the first half of 2026, an increase of about 450 per cent.Over the same period, electricity supplied grew by just 4.8 per cent, from 16,861 gigawatt-hours to 17,668 gigawatt-hours.
- Average available generation capacity also fell by 41 per cent, from 7,565.5 megawatts to 4,456 megawatts.The figures further show that DisCos collected ₦1.2 trillion out of approximately ₦1.9 trillion worth of electricity received in the first half of 2026, leaving about ₦700.53 billion uncollected.On an annual basis, revenue collections increased from about ₦302.93 billion in 2016 to ₦2.32 trillion in 2025.
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Electricity distribution companies collected ₦1.2 trillion in the first half of 2026, up sharply from 2018, while electricity supply grew by just 4.8% over the same period, raising fresh questions about service delivery and investment. Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have recorded a sharp rise in revenue, but the increase has not been matched by comparable improvements in...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 19, 2026
