In a fresh move to tackle Nigeria’s poor electricity supply, the Federal Government has announced plans to overhaul two failing electricity distribution companies (DisCos) as a starting point for wider reforms.
The initiative, set to begin between May and August 2025, will target one DisCo in the North and another in the South. According to officials, this pilot programme will serve as a test case for future improvements across the country.
Speaking after a high-level meeting with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the government is ready to take firm steps against poorly performing DisCos.
“We can’t continue to watch these companies underdeliver while Nigerians suffer. This reform is not optional. We will restructure these DisCos and ensure they meet the standard expected,” Adelabu said.
The meeting with JICA produced a roadmap titled “Revamping of the Distribution Sector in Nigeria,” which outlines how the electricity distribution system can be improved through better management, upgraded infrastructure, and stronger regulations.
Adelabu stressed that many of the problems with power supply stem from the failure of DisCos to invest in their networks. “If they had invested properly, we would have made more progress, especially with the plan to move more customers to higher power supply tariff bands,” he added.
The government’s new approach comes after a nationwide assessment revealed serious problems with how electricity is distributed, including outdated equipment, poor customer service, and weak accountability.
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