Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies (DisCos) generated a record ₦2.32 trillion in revenue in 2025, the highest annual collection recorded since the power sector was privatised, even as millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with unreliable electricity supply.
The figure represents a staggering 730 per cent increase from the ₦278.89 billion collected in 2015, underscoring the sharp rise in electricity payments over the past 11 years.
Revenue grew steadily between 2015 and 2020 before accelerating significantly from 2021. The most dramatic jump came in 2024, when collections surged by 58.8 per cent, coinciding with the implementation of the Band A tariff adjustment, which saw many consumers paying substantially higher electricity bills.
Whether on Band A, Band B or Band C, Nigerians have contributed to the record-breaking revenue through increased tariff payments.
The period also witnessed wider deployment of electricity meters and the introduction of new regulatory measures. However, DisCos have continued to cite challenges including inherited infrastructure, unpaid legacy debts and gas supply constraints as major obstacles to improved service delivery.
Despite the unprecedented revenue, many consumers say the quality of electricity supply has failed to match the rising cost, with frequent blackouts forcing homes and businesses to depend heavily on generators.
As Nigerians continue to pay more for electricity than ever before, questions are mounting over when the billions of naira collected by DisCos will finally translate into stable, reliable and affordable power for millions of customers across the country.
