Eleven power distribution companies (DisCos) across Nigeria have received 2,793 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), offering relief to consumers, including those in Lagos, the country’s commercial hub.
The specific measures that led to this supply increase were not detailed, as gas delivery to power-generating companies (GenCos) has yet to improve. Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu attributed persistent outages to limited gas supply to thermal plants but assured that electricity availability would improve within the next two weeks, with a target of 6,000MW by December.
A breakdown of the electricity supply shows Abuja DisCo receiving 503MW, Ikeja 497MW, Eko 424MW, Ibadan 314MW, Benin 212MW, Enugu 203MW, Port Harcourt 183MW, Kano 142MW, Kaduna 133MW, Jos 119MW, and Yola 63MW. Port Harcourt DisCo apologised to consumers for previous outages.
Adelabu highlighted that tensions in the Middle East have increased global gas demand, making supply to Nigerian power plants less attractive to producers, who are owed significant arrears—estimated at N6 trillion, with 60% owed to gas suppliers. Financial interventions have begun, including a N4 trillion debt restructuring, with N509 billion raised from the bond market to encourage GenCos and gas suppliers.
He also noted that only two of Nigeria’s 32 power plants have formal gas supply contracts, while the remainder operate on a “best endeavour” basis. Adelabu stressed the need for private sector investment in the power sector, estimating that adding 20,000MW to the national grid would require over $100 billion across the upstream, midstream, and downstream value chains.
