Business
Estimated billing: Electricity consumer groups seek stiff sanctions against 7 erring discos

Two electricity consumer groups, on Wednesday, called for stiff sanctions against seven electricity distribution companies (DisCos) for failing to implement the order on capping estimated billing of their customers.
The groups, the Energy Consumer Rights and Responsibilities Initiative (ECRRI) and All Electricity Consumers Protection Forum (AECPF) made the calls in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
NAN reports that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had threatened to sanction the DisCos over their failure to comply with the Order 197/2020 on capping of unmetered R2 and C1 electricity customers.
R2 and C1 are residential and commercial categories of electricity consumers respectively.
The affected DisCos – Benin, Enugu, Eko, Ikeja, Kano, Kaduna and Port Harcourt – were given 14 days, beginning from June 4, to explain why the commission should not sanction them over their alleged non-compliance.
Reacting to the development, Mr Sural Fadairo, National President, ECRRI, said NERC must step up its regulatory duties by ensuring full compliance with its orders and directives.
“The threat to sanction the erring DisCos is a welcome development.
“We believe that the industry will not make much progress until the DisCos start complying fully with NERC’s directives.
“NERC should be able to wield the big stick on the DisCos from time to time because its duty is to ensure compliance with policies that are beneficial to all stakeholders in the electricity sector,’’ Fadairo said.
He noted that sanctioning the DisCos would also spur them to accelerate metering of customers in their areas of coverage.
“Majority of electricity consumers in Nigeria are still on estimated billing system and are being exploited by the DisCos with crazy bills.
“That is why NERC tried to intervene in the matter by placing a cap on how much can be issued to the affected customers until such a time that their meters are installed.
“These DisCos, however, failed to comply with the order and have continued to issue exorbitant estimated bills to their customers.’’
Also, Mr Adeola Samuel-Ilori, National Coordinator, AECPF, said NERC had on Feb. 20 abolished the era of the estimated methodology of billing by DisCos and replaced it with capping method.
“When the capping order was released with an express directive in paragraph A of the order that estimated method has been repealed and replaced with capping method, we thought the discos can’t circumvent the implementation.
“However, by the time the implementation took place in March bill, our group were inundated with calls and messages to the effect that the bill received for that month was not only astronomical but beyond capping and former estimated bill previously received put together.
“We noticed that the same thing happened in April and we had to petition the DisCos.
“The response we got was that they are investigating and will come out with a position.
“We see this directive of notice of intention to sanction erring discos as a welcome development and look forward to a regulatory body that can bark and bite this time,’’ Samuel-Ilori said.
He, therefore, urged NERC to be more proactive in attending to consumer complaints in order to fulfil its statutory obligation of being fair and balanced in dealing with consumers and distribution companies. (NAN)
Business
CBN expresses commitment to FX Code

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code, stating that its operations align with the principles of the code.
In a statement signed by Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Deputy Governor of Economic Policy Mohammad Abdullahi, and Director of the Financial Markets Department Dr. Omolara Duke, the apex bank emphasized that its decision follows a review of the FX Global Code and recognition that the code represents a set of principles widely acknowledged as good practice in the foreign exchange market.
The statement confirmed that the CBN acts as a regulator to market participants as defined by the code and is committed to overseeing FX market activities in a manner consistent with its principles.
“To this end, the Bank has taken appropriate steps, based on the size and complexity of the FX Market, and therefore aligns its roles with the principles of the Code,” the statement added.
Business
FG launches electronic asset register to boost investment

The Federal Government has launched a national electronic assets register to provide real-time access to information on government-owned assets, aiming to enhance transparency and attract more investments into the country.
The digital registry was introduced by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, during an event that also featured the unveiling of a compendium of FAAC allocations to federal, state, and local governments from 2020 to 2023.
Madein described the initiative as a major milestone in improving public resource management, emphasizing that it is essential for financial sustainability and integrity. She stated that the project aligns with the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling public funds and assets.
She noted that giving citizens access to information about public asset management would increase government accountability. “Whether it is infrastructure, equipment, or other public property, every asset must be accounted for,” she said.
The real-time access provided by the digital register is expected to support policy formulation, budgeting, and planning. Madein explained that by having a clear understanding of the government’s assets and their conditions, policymakers can make more informed decisions on resource allocation, investment management, and potential privatisation or public-private partnerships (PPPs) for underutilized assets.
She added that the initiative also aligns with international best practices, supporting Nigeria’s adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). These standards will help strengthen the credibility and integrity of the country’s financial statements.
On the compendium of FAAC allocations, Madein stated that it provides a detailed breakdown of revenue distribution to the three tiers of government and serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and the general public.
Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Aniete, who officially unveiled the compendium, praised the Accountant General’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability. She described the electronic asset register as an important tool that will help determine the real value of Nigeria’s assets and create opportunities for local and foreign investment.
Business
Tariff increase will push available power generation to 7,000MW — Minister

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the proposed electricity tariff increase will help boost Nigeria’s available power generation capacity to 7,000 megawatts (MW). This comes after the country recorded its highest-ever available power generation of 6,003MW and a peak evacuation of 5,801.84MW last week.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu emphasized that tariff regularization is crucial for unlocking the sector’s full potential and sustaining ongoing improvements in power generation and distribution.
“To sustain these improvements, the government would have to pay down the tariff shortfalls of N1.94 trillion for 2024 and address legacy debts of N2 trillion to the GENCOs,” the minister said. He added that continued tariff reforms are necessary to ensure that consumers start paying for the energy they consume.
Adelabu reiterated the government’s intention to raise electricity tariffs for customers in Bands B, C, and D as part of efforts to enhance the sector’s liquidity and reduce subsidy obligations. The planned tariff hike is expected to narrow the gap between Band A customers—who currently pay higher rates—and those in lower bands.
The minister noted that Nigeria recently set another milestone with a daily maximum energy output of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh), attributing these achievements to ongoing reforms and infrastructural upgrades in the sector.
“We are thrilled to announce these historic milestones in Nigeria’s power sector,” Adelabu stated. “These achievements represent a brighter future where businesses can thrive, households can enjoy uninterrupted power supply, and the economy can grow sustainably.”
According to the minister, recent improvements result from collaborative efforts by the Federal Ministry of Power and key stakeholders to address longstanding challenges in the sector. These include the rehabilitation and upgrading of transmission and distribution networks, implementation of innovative technologies to enhance efficiency, and policy reforms aimed at improving accountability and sustainability.
While celebrating these milestones, Adelabu called for continued support from state governments, private sector stakeholders, and the general public. He stressed the need for collective action to sustain the momentum and build upon the progress made.
With power generation at a record high and tariff reforms on the horizon, stakeholders are hopeful that Nigeria’s electricity supply will see lasting improvements, ensuring stable and reliable power for businesses and households nationwide.
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