Electricity distribution companies in Nigeria say unpaid consumer bills have risen to N6 trillion, creating a massive financial strain on the power sector. The generators and distributors warn that the growing debt is threatening the stability of electricity supply, as funds owed by customers include government agencies, businesses, and households.
According to power industry operators, the surge in unpaid bills has made it difficult to maintain and expand infrastructure, pay for fuel and other operational costs, and meet financial obligations to investors.
The situation has also affected the ability of generation companies to purchase sufficient gas supplies, leading to reduced power output and frequent outages in several parts of the country.
The industry has urged the federal and state governments to intervene and implement policies that would improve bill collection and ensure cost-reflective tariffs. They argue that without urgent reforms, the debt burden could worsen, hindering efforts to stabilise the grid and attract investment into the power sector.
Consumers, meanwhile, continue to struggle with irregular power supply, even as bills remain unpaid, creating a cycle of dissatisfaction and financial pressure in the energy market.
