 collected about ₦597.55bn from consumers in Q1 2026 according to NERC.){kind=link}
DisCos Collect ₦600bn in Q1 Despite Power Crisis
Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) collected about ₦597.55bn from consumers in Q1 2026, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), despite persistent blackouts and sector challenges.
The data showed monthly collections of ₦204.74bn in January, ₦196.68bn in February, and ₦196.13bn in March, averaging nearly ₦199bn per month.
In January, DisCos billed ₦268.20bn but collected only ₦204.74bn, leaving ₦63.46bn uncollected. Billing efficiency stood at 79.72%, while collection efficiency was 76.34%.
February recorded ₦242.29bn in billings and ₦196.68bn collected, with ₦45.61bn uncollected. Billing efficiency improved to 87.44%, and collection efficiency rose to 81.17%.
In March, DisCos billed ₦246.43bn but collected ₦196.13bn, leaving ₦50.30bn uncollected, with billing efficiency at 83.89% and collection efficiency at 79.59%.
Performance varied across the 11 DisCos. Eko and Ikeja DisCos ranked among the strongest, with Eko achieving over 100% recovery efficiency in February, while Kaduna and Jos DisCos struggled, with Kaduna recording just 41.20% recovery efficiency.
Consumers expressed frustration over high tariffs amid outages caused by gas shortages.
Generation dropped from about 4,000MW to below 2,000MW, forcing the Transmission Company of Nigeria to ration supply.
As of February 23, 2026, gas supply stood at 692mmscf/day, less than 43% of the 1,629mmscf/day required.
Stakeholders have urged improved metering, stricter enforcement against energy theft, and better customer service to boost collections, warning that infrastructure deficits and liquidity issues continue to undermine the sector’s viability.