By Seun Ibiyemi
Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) collected N203.61 billion from electricity consumers in April 2026, despite continued power supply challenges across the country, according to the latest commercial performance factsheet released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The report showed that the 11 electricity distribution companies generated a total of N801.16 billion in revenue between January and April 2026.
Monthly collections stood at N204.74 billion in January, N196.68 billion in February, N196.13 billion in March, and N203.61 billion in April.
According to NERC, the DisCos issued electricity bills amounting to N1.01 trillion during the four-month period but recovered N801.16 billion, leaving about N207.77 billion in outstanding revenue.
READ ALSO:DisCos metered 241,590 customers in two months — NERC
The April factsheet indicated that customers were billed N252.43 billion, while N203.61 billion was collected, leaving N48.82 billion uncollected. Billing efficiency stood at 83.32 per cent, while collection efficiency improved slightly to 80.66 per cent.
Earlier in the year, the companies billed N268.20 billion in January and recovered N204.74 billion, leaving N63.46 billion outstanding. In February, total billings dropped to N242.29 billion, with collections of N196.68 billion, resulting in N45.61 billion in unpaid bills.
March recorded billings of N246.43 billion, while N196.13 billion was recovered, leaving N50.30 billion outstanding.
The revenue performance came amid prolonged electricity shortages experienced by households and businesses during the first quarter of the year, largely due to inadequate gas supply that forced several thermal power plants to reduce output or shut down operations.
At different periods, national electricity generation reportedly declined from about 4,000 megawatts to below 2,000 megawatts, prompting the Transmission Company of Nigeria to ration available power to distribution companies.
Operational data released by the Nigerian Independent System Operator showed that thermal power plants require about 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to operate efficiently.
READ ALSO:Electricity consumers owe DisCos over ₦63bn in January – NERC
However, as of February 23, actual gas supply stood at approximately 692 million standard cubic feet per day, representing less than 43 per cent of the required volume.
The NERC report also revealed that significant volumes of electricity supplied to the DisCos were not billed during the review period, reflecting persistent metering gaps and commercial losses within the sector.
Among the electricity distributors, Eko Electricity Distribution Company emerged as one of the best-performing utilities in April, posting a revenue recovery efficiency of 102.09 per cent.
Port Harcourt, Abuja, Ikeja, and Benin DisCos also recorded recovery efficiencies above 85 per cent.
In contrast, Kaduna, Kano, and Jos DisCos continued to underperform. Kaduna recorded a recovery efficiency of 43.15 per cent, while Kano and Jos posted 51.87 per cent and 52.48 per cent, respectively.
Although electricity supply improved gradually towards the end of April, consumers have continued to express concerns over high tariffs, estimated billing, and poor service delivery.
Industry stakeholders have also renewed calls for improved metering, reduced energy theft, and increased investment in power infrastructure to strengthen the financial and operational performance of the distribution companies.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) has reminded electricity consumers that supply licensees are prohibited from recovering charges that are more than 12 months old, except in cases involving meter tampering, illegal electricity use, or obstruction of meter reading.
The commission said the directive forms part of its consumer protection measures aimed at safeguarding electricity users’ rights across the state.
