Nigeria’s Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) collected nearly N600bn from electricity consumers in the first quarter of 2026, despite persistent power supply challenges across the country.
According to the latest commercial performance data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the 11 DisCos generated a combined N597.55bn between January and March 2026.
The figure represents an average monthly collection of approximately N199.18bn.
The data showed that the DisCos collected N204.74bn in January, N196.68bn in February, and N196.13bn in March.
Despite the strong revenue performance, the sector continued to record significant collection gaps and unbilled energy losses throughout the quarter.
In January, total customer billings stood at N268.20bn, but only N204.74bn was recovered. This left N63.46bn in uncollected revenue.
Billing efficiency for the month was 79.72 per cent, while collection efficiency stood at 76.34 per cent.
In February, the DisCos issued bills worth N242.29bn and recovered N196.68bn, leaving N45.61bn unpaid.
The month recorded improved billing efficiency of 87.44 per cent and collection efficiency of 81.17 per cent.
March also recorded a revenue shortfall. Total billings reached N246.43bn, while collections stood at N196.13bn.
This resulted in N50.30bn in uncollected revenue. Billing efficiency was 83.89 per cent, while collection efficiency was 79.59 per cent.
Overall, the industry failed to recover more than N159bn in billed revenue during the three-month period.
The NERC reports highlighted significant differences in performance among the distribution companies.
Eko Electricity Distribution Company and Ikeja Electric emerged as some of the strongest performers in revenue recovery.
Eko DisCo achieved more than 100 per cent recovery efficiency in February, reflecting strong collection performance during the month.
On the other hand, Kaduna Electric and Jos Electricity Distribution Company continued to face challenges in revenue collection.
In February, Kaduna DisCo recorded a recovery efficiency of only 41.20 per cent, one of the lowest figures among all operators.
The NERC commercial performance reports track key indicators such as energy received, energy billed, total customer billings, revenue collections, and recovery efficiency.
The data provides insight into the financial health and commercial viability of Nigeria’s privatised electricity distribution companies.
The revenue figures come at a time when many electricity consumers continue to complain about rising tariffs, frequent outages, and poor service delivery.
During the first quarter of 2026, Nigeria experienced a severe power supply crisis driven largely by gas shortages affecting thermal power plants.
Power generation reportedly dropped from around 4,000 megawatts to less than 2,000 megawatts at certain periods during the quarter.
According to operational data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator, thermal power plants require approximately 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to operate optimally.
However, as of February 23, 2026, actual gas supply was only about 692 million standard cubic feet per day, representing less than 43 per cent of required demand.
The gas shortfall forced several power plants to shut down operations, reducing electricity generation nationwide.
As available generation declined, the Transmission Company of Nigeria implemented load shedding measures to ration limited electricity among the distribution companies.
Throughout the quarter, several DisCos attributed prolonged outages to gas supply constraints and generation shortages.
Industry stakeholders have continued to call for accelerated metering programmes, stronger action against energy theft, and improved customer service to boost collection efficiency and enhance sector sustainability.
Experts have also stressed the need for greater investment in infrastructure to address longstanding liquidity challenges that limit the ability of DisCos to convert supplied electricity into sustainable revenue.
Although power shortages persisted during much of the quarter, some consumers have reported modest improvements in electricity supply in recent weeks as generation conditions gradually improve.
