Nigerians Pay More for Darkness as DisCos’ 2025 Revenue Nears N1 Trillion Despite Worsening Power Outages
Reporters: Okafor Joseph and Rita Uzuh, Senior Reporters, SpringnewsNG Media Limited
Nigeria’s electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) are raking in record revenue despite delivering some of the worst power supply in recent years, sparking public anger and renewed criticism of the country’s struggling electricity sector.
According to data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), DisCos collected ₦957.97 billion between January and May 2025, just 12 percent shy of the ₦1.08 trillion total revenue for the entire 2024. At the current pace, industry observers predict that DisCos could surpass last year’s revenue before the third quarter of 2025 ends.
Consumers Pay More, Get Less Power
While the revenue surge suggests improved collections, it has not translated to better electricity supply. On the contrary, power outages have worsened in 2025, crippling small and medium-sized businesses, inflating operational costs in manufacturing, and forcing households to depend on diesel and petrol generators, solar panels, and inverters.
“This isn’t a case of improved efficiency or expanded service coverage,” said Aisha Mohammed, an energy analyst with the Centre for Development Studies in Lagos.
“Consumers are paying more for a deteriorating service. It’s a paradox: DisCos’ financial performance is rising, but customer experience is collapsing.”
Tariff Hikes Drive Revenue Growth
NERC’s breakdown shows that the near-trillion-naira collection in five months was fueled by:
- Tariff increases, including the steep charges for Band A customers, now paying as high as ₦225 per kWh.
- Aggressive metering of previously unmetered customers.
- Enhanced revenue collection methods.
However, analysts emphasize that higher revenue does not equate to improved power supply.
Many Band A customers, promised 20 hours of electricity daily, report receiving less than 12 hours on average.
“I barely get six to eight hours of electricity a day, yet my bill is higher than last year,” complained Ifeanyi Uzodike, a small business owner in Lagos.
Across the country—from Kano to Port Harcourt—customers share similar experiences: higher bills, lower supply, and minimal customer support.
Revenue Breakdown for 2025 (Jan–May)
- January – ₦178.68 billion
- February – ₦191.75 billion
- March – ₦188.89 billion
- April – ₦199.85 billion
- May – ₦191.57 billion
Cumulatively, this amounts to ₦957.97 billion, putting DisCos on a trajectory to break 2024’s revenue record well before year-end.
Industry Outlook and Public Backlash
While some insiders tout the rising collections as a sign of administrative efficiency, public trust in the power sector remains critically low. Without significant improvements in supply reliability and customer service, experts warn that the revenue surge may fuel social tension and regulatory pressure, as Nigerians continue to pay more for darkness.
