Reps approve N248.6bn for Kano, Jos, Ikeja DisCos

House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has resolved to approve financial relief measures and a 10-year debt restructuring framework for the Kano, Jos, and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

This framework covers accrued interest on debt from 2015 to September 2025, amounting to N128,575,190,740.54, as well as historical debts totaling N120,061,898,737, bringing the combined outstanding liability to N248,637,089,278.83.

The Committee’s resolution follows the adoption of a technical subcommittee report, which forms part of the 2021 Auditor-General for the Federation’s report on the growing indebtedness of eleven electricity distribution companies, as escalated by the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company Plc (NBET).

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Chairman of the technical subcommittee, Hon. Mark Obetta, said the recommendation forms part of legislative efforts to stabilise the electricity market and address legacy liabilities affecting the sector’s financial sustainability.

The report, which reviewed the financial obligations of 11 DisCos, showed that their cumulative indebtedness rose from N1 trillion on December 31, 2024, to N1.3 trillion on September 25, 2025, comprising both principal and interest components.

Breakdown of the outstanding liabilities, which stood at N1,303,686,080,276.70 from January 2015 to September 2025, including accrued interest component as provided by NBET, showed that: Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Ltd owed N275,165,755,647.45; Benin Electricity Distribution Company owed N82,114,660,624.99; Eko Electricity Distribution Company owed N16,491,581,520.79; Enugu Electricity Distribution Company owed 39,114,906,819.66; Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company owed N103,412,814,294.67; Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company owed N47,638,211,980.95; Jos Electricity Distribution Company owed N104,377,248,037.96; Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company owed N303,809,520,962.8; Kano Electricity Distribution Company owed N96,621,626,259.92; Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company owed N88,400,282,772.28; Yola Electricity Distribution Company (Old) owed N61,195,796,813.92; while Yola Electricity Distribution Company (New) owed N241,675,202.96 while Ajaokuta Electricity Distribution Company owed N58,585,346,744.31.

Presenting its findings, the committee said the investigation was aimed at verifying the Auditor-General’s claims, establishing the current debt position, and identifying the reasons for the persistent failure of DisCos to meet their payment obligations.

The Committee confirmed that as of the end of 2024, the reconciled liability of the eleven DisCos stood at N1,000,929,477,013.50, covering both principal and interest, but rose to N1.3 trillion by September 2025 due to continued accruals.

A major issue during the hearings was the dispute over interest charges on outstanding invoices, with the Jos, Ikeja, and Kano DisCos contesting their legitimacy because the Market Rules did not explicitly provide for them.

In response to these concerns, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) issued a directive dated January 2026 that NBET should not charge interest on outstanding invoices between 2015 and 2020, but mandate NBET to charge interest on outstanding invoices from 2021 onward.

The regulator also directed that any interest linked to delays involving MERISTEM be disregarded.

Consequently, NBET was instructed to recompute the DisCos’ liabilities, including the N128 billion interest accrued to Jos, Kano, and Ikeja.

According to the report, “Based on appearance, submissions and request, the Committee established that Jos and Kano Electricity Distribution Companies remain significantly indebted to NBET. The interest component and accrued debt during government receivership period form a substantial part of Kano Disco’s liabilities.”

The report further stated: “NBET and NERC should allow Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Jos Electricity Distribution Company, and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, with significant legacy obligations, to restructure and repay their historical debts totaling N120,061,898,737 (including any obligation accrued during the early stabilisation period) over an extended period of not more than 10 years.

”Liabilities incurred during periods of government intervention or receivership by Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) totaling N13,399,000,000 should be reviewed and transferred to the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) in line with precedents previously applied within the sector.

”That the market regulator, NERC, should issue a directive to NBET to waive all interest accrued in line with the terms of its letter dated January 2026 from 2015-September 2025 totaling 128,575,190,740.54 for Jos, Kano, and Ikeja Disco, representing the new market stabilization era focused on service-reflective tariffs, massive metering, and structural reform.

“This is because MERISTEM was introduced as a financial Intermediary to manage liquidity challenges in the sector, including monthly invoice settlements through escrow account arrangements.

“Moreover, the current structure does not allow DisCos to charge commiserate interest on unpaid invoices to their customers, including Federal and State Government ministries, departments, and agencies.

“In addition, these DisCos do not have direct access to their sales collections, as the current market settlement system (escrow account) is on a first-line charge to first settle market obligations before operating expenses are released to the DisCos.

“All DisCos should ensure strict compliance with their current market obligations going forward to prevent further accumulation of liabilities,” the report said.

While ruling, Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Bamidele Salam, urged strict compliance with market obligations by all DisCos to prevent further accumulation of debt.

He warned that without urgent financial restructuring and regulatory intervention, the sustainability of Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector could remain at risk.