Electricity consumers in Nigeria are increasingly frustrated with the poor services provided by electricity distribution companies (DisCos), describing their experiences as exploitative. Common complaints include delays in accessing prepaid meters, requests for bribes, and illegal disconnections.

An anonymous employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) reported that customer service in the Bwari Area Council is severely lacking, with officials often extorting customers without adhering to proper verification processes before meter installation. Despite regulations, some communities have faced illegal disconnections even when customers have prepaid meters, leading to protests that were met with police intervention.

Residents across Nigeria have echoed similar sentiments, particularly regarding overbilling practices and persistent power outages. For instance, in Samaru-Kataf, Kaduna State, residents have endured weeks without power due to vandalism while still receiving high fixed electricity bills. They expressed frustration that despite paying around 8,000 naira monthly, they often lack functioning meters and face growing debts for unprovided services.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recently fined all 11 DisCos a total of N9.11 billion for overbilling customers. This fine was a response to widespread non-compliance with billing regulations. The AEDC was fined N1.69 billion for its practices, with other DisCos receiving substantial penalties as well.

Moreover, allegations of extortion persist, with reports of residents having to pay bribes to avoid disconnections. AEDC’s Head of Marketing, Adefisayo Akinsanya, denied claims of installing fake meters, asserting that all deployed meters are certified and urging customers to avoid illegal channels for obtaining them.

Despite completing the National Mass Metering Programme and installing over 100,000 meters, residents remain dissatisfied with service consistency. Following a shift to higher tariff bands, many consumers feel burdened by increased costs without a corresponding improvement in service quality.

Consumer advocacy groups are calling for legislative investigations into the DisCos’ practices, citing persistent issues with tariff increases and non-compliance with regulatory directives. They argue that the DisCos’ actions undermine consumer rights and contribute to growing economic burdens on households already struggling with high living costs.

NERC has mandated that DisCos must enhance their service delivery and adhere to service-based tariffs, with new penalties for non-compliance aimed at ensuring accountability. The ongoing dissatisfaction underscores a critical need for systemic reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector.