Insulting while power users have over 254,000 complaints in 3 months

Over 254,000 electricity consumers have submitted complaints against distribution companies (discos) throughout Nigeria in the first quarter of 2025, with issues ranging from defective measures to estimated invoicing and persistent current interruptions, according to the Commission for the regulation of Nigerian electricity (NERC).

The Commission Q1 report revealed that between January and March 2025 a total of 254,404 complaints were received, a slight 7.72 percent reduction compared to 275,681 complaints recorded in the quarter of 2024.

A distribution of complaints shows that the measurement (42.84%), the billing problems (12.27%) and the interruptions of the service (7.66%) have exceeded the graphic designer, jointly representing over 62 percent of all customers’ complaints.

The Nearc Report indicated the Port Harcourt electricity distribution company such as the most reported utility supplier, attracting 57,843 complaints, almost a quarter of the national total. At the other end of the spectrum, Yola Disco recorded the least number of complaints, with 2,495 cases.

While some discos such as Abuja, Benin and Jos have recorded significant decrease in the number of complaints – with Abuja disco who recorded a 74 % drop – others saw a strong increase. Kano Disco has experienced the steepest increase, jumping 86 percent from 17,328 in the fourth quarter 2024 to 32.251 in the first quarter of 2025. Kaduna, Yola and ABA Power also saw the double figure increase.

The Commission observed that he received an additional 4,169 complaints directly through his central complaint unit, mainly on invoicing, measurement and poor supply.

Among the burst of complaints, Nerc revealed that electricity consumers were reimbursed for a total of ₦ 32.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025 alone due to excess excess cases. Most of these reimbursements have been accredited directly to the customer’s accounts following investigations on controversial accusations.

Port Harcourt Disco guided the graphic designs related to billing with 5,260 cases, followed by Ikeja and Abuja. In the grievances related to measurement, Eko Disco recorded the highest with 17,972 cases, followed by Kano Disco with 25,988.

Other unresolved problems included voltage fluctuations (3,900 cases), disconnections (1,417), delays (736) and loading of load (202 cases). In some regions such as Ibadan, over 25,000 complaints have been simply classified as “others”, suggesting a wide range of persistent and unmarried issues.

Despite the growing complaints, the discos collected collectively ₦ 553.63 billion in revenue during the first quarter, according to the commission.

The irony of the increase in earnings in the midst of a widespread dissatisfaction has not been lost for consumers, many of whom face irregular offers, indiscriminate disconnections and unreliable billing practices.

Nearc, however, reiterated his commitment to consumer protection.

“The adaptation of the credit on customer invoices, following resolved complaints, is a strong indicator of our commitment for the protection and responsibility of consumers in the energy sector,” said the Commission.

He added that efforts were underway to strengthen customer support units and quickly accelerate the resolution of complaints in all discos.

Electricity consumers have long complained about the delivery of inadequate services despite normal tariff increases. Experts argue that the resolution of customer complaints, transparent measurement systems and accurate billing are essential to restore public trust in the nation’s sick power sector.

With over 60 percent of complaints focused on measurement and invoicing only, the observers say that the data underline a persistent structural failure in the way electricity is distributed, measured and evaluated in Nigeria

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