…Blackouts worsen in North
Nigeria’s electricity crisis has worsened, with Distribution Companies (DisCos) recording a combined loss of ₦2.349 trillion in two years due to billing inefficiencies and poor revenue collection, further straining the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) shows losses rose from ₦1.015 trillion in 2024 to ₦1.334 trillion in 2025, bringing cumulative losses for the two-year period to ₦2.349 trillion, driven by weak billing systems and collection challenges.
The liquidity crisis has contributed to declining power generation, with output dropping from about 4,600MW in 2025 to below 3,500MWs in early 2026, as GenCos face over ₦6 trillion in unpaid debts and gas supply constraints.
This has triggered widespread blackouts, with many areas receiving less than 12 hours of electricity daily.
The result is a resurgence of rolling blackouts, with DisCos resorting to load shedding to manage limited energy allocations. In several states, electricity supply has dropped to less than 12 hours daily, with some areas receiving as little as four to six hours.
In Abuja, districts such as Karu and Lokogoma receive barely three hours of electricity daily, leaving homes and businesses struggling with rising self-generation costs.
Other states under the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), including Nasarawa, Niger and Kogi, have also been hit by extended outages, while communities in Delta, under BEDC, report prolonged outages despite high estimated bills.
Amid the instability, the Presidential Villa is moving off the national grid to a ₦17 billion solar hybrid system to ensure steady power— a decision criticised by AEDC, which says reliable supply could be achieved with investment.
Consumers have condemned DisCos over estimated billing and alleged extortion, calling for mass metering and greater transparency.
Experts also blame poor metering for inefficiencies, urging comprehensive measurement across the power value chain to improve billing accuracy and sector viability.
