South Africa Disconnects Power to Nigerian High Commission Over Unsettled Utility Bills
The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, was plunged into darkness on Monday after local authorities disconnected electricity supply over outstanding utility bills. This action forms part of the City of Tshwane's #TshwaneYaTima campaign, which targets government institutions, businesses, and residents with significant debt arrears.
Official Confirmation and Response from South African Authorities
Tshwane Executive Mayor, Nasiphi Moya, publicly confirmed the disconnection through a post on social media platform X. She shared a photograph of the embassy building and stated, "#TshwaneYaTima: We've disconnected electricity at the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They owe the city for utility services." Mayor Moya later provided an update, indicating that an agreement had been reached and the city would proceed with reconnection, thanking the High Commission for honoring its debt.
Nigerian Foreign Ministry's Explanation and Ongoing Engagement
In response to the blackout, Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributed the situation to funding constraints directly linked to delays in the passage of the country's 2026 national budget. Ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, explained that the mission had not received the necessary funds to settle its utility bills because the budget approval process was still pending.
Ebienfa clarified: "If they say Nigeria has not paid in January, that means there is no money for Nigeria to pay in January because the budget has not been passed." He confirmed that funds had not been released to the Pretoria mission and emphasized that the ministry is actively engaging with both the Nigerian mission and South African authorities to resolve the matter swiftly.
The spokesperson assured that restoration efforts are a top priority, stating, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of the unfortunate development regarding the electricity blackout. We are trying our best to make sure the outstanding bills are paid and the electricity is restored with immediate effect."
Historical Context and Broader Diplomatic Concerns
This incident marks the latest in a series of power disconnections affecting Nigerian diplomatic facilities in South Africa. In 2023, the Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg faced a similar situation when City Power disconnected it over unpaid bills amounting to approximately 600,000 rand. Furthermore, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria was reportedly cut off again in September of last year due to accumulated arrears.
The development has also highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the absence of substantive ambassadors at several Nigerian missions worldwide. Ebienfa noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has so far approved ambassadorial appointments to only three countries: the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, with South Africa not included in this initial list.
Parallel Challenges in Nigeria's Domestic Power Sector
Coincidentally, Nigeria's domestic electricity transmission system experienced another major disruption recently. The national grid collapsed for the second time in 2026 on Tuesday, January 27, throwing large parts of the country into darkness. This failure occurred barely four days after a similar incident earlier in the year, raising serious concerns about the fragility of Nigeria's power infrastructure and its capacity to provide steady electricity supply for both households and businesses.
Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator's grid performance dashboard revealed a sharp decline in real-time electricity generation during this period, underscoring the systemic challenges within the nation's energy sector.
