Nigeria's electricity distribution companies (DisCos) recovered N196.13 billion from customers in March 2026, representing 79.59 per cent of the N246.43 billion billed during the month, according to industry data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The figures indicate that the country's 11 distribution companies were unable to recover about N50.3 billion of the amount billed to consumers, underscoring the persistent revenue collection challenges facing the power sector.
Performance by Distribution Companies
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company recorded the highest billing at N45.92 billion and collected N34.81 billion, while Ikeja Electric generated the highest revenue, collecting N40.30 billion from N41.82 billion billed. Eko Electricity Distribution Company followed with N33.89 billion collected from N38.65 billion billed.
Ibadan DisCo recovered N19.23 billion from N24.96 billion billed, while Port Harcourt DisCo collected N14.58 billion from N18.11 billion. Enugu DisCo generated N13.62 billion from N17.99 billion billed, and Benin DisCo collected N15.11 billion from N16.62 billion.
Among the lower-performing operators, Kano DisCo recovered N9.74 billion from N13.72 billion billed, Jos DisCo collected N6.74 billion from N11.63 billion, while Kaduna DisCo recorded one of the weakest performances, recovering only N4.66 billion from N12.10 billion billed. Yola DisCo generated N3.40 billion from N4.87 billion billed.
Challenges and Reforms
The March figures reflect the continuing struggle of electricity distributors to convert billed energy into actual revenue despite ongoing reforms in the sector. Revenue collection remains a key indicator of the financial health of Nigeria's electricity market, which continues to face challenges including inadequate metering, energy theft, billing disputes and customer payment defaults.
The latest data comes as regulators intensify efforts to improve market liquidity through wider metering coverage, stricter enforcement against energy theft and improved billing systems. Industry stakeholders have repeatedly warned that poor revenue recovery affects the ability of distribution companies to meet obligations to power generation companies and other participants in the electricity value chain.
Analysts say improvements in collection efficiency, metering and customer confidence will be critical to achieving a financially sustainable electricity sector and supporting investments needed to improve power supply across the country. Overall, the sector billed customers N246.43 billion in March and recovered N196.13 billion, leaving a revenue shortfall of more than N50 billion despite an industry-wide collection efficiency of 79.59 per cent.
