The Nigerian Independent System Operator has directed electricity distribution companies to begin settling their outstanding obligations to the Nigerian Electricity Market and service providers, warning that sanctions could follow continued default.
NISO said the Federal Government had already netted off about 97 per cent of debts accumulated by the Discos between 2015 and 2020, substantially reducing the historical burden on the companies.
The directive followed a four-day public hearing at which a five-member committee led by NISO Executive Director for Market Operations Edmund Eje reviewed outstanding obligations and payment proposals submitted by the distribution companies.
NISO said some of the proposed repayment arrangements were unacceptable given the size and age of the remaining debts. It argued that the earlier federal intervention removed much of the historical liability and left the companies with little justification for further delay.
The system operator said it would proceed with the next steps available under the market rules, including sanctions where applicable, while maintaining engagement and due process.
The warning comes amid persistent liquidity problems across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, where unpaid obligations by market participants have constrained payments to generation companies and other service providers.
Separately, data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission showed that Discos collected N191.86 billion from customers in June 2026, a 7.82 per cent decline from the previous month.
The companies issued bills worth N240.71 billion during the month, leaving N48.85 billion uncollected and producing an overall collection efficiency of 79.71 per cent.
Benin Disco recorded the strongest collection efficiency at 94 per cent, followed by Ikeja at 89 per cent, Eko at 88.64 per cent and Port Harcourt at 87.74 per cent. Kano and Kaduna were among the weakest performers at 42.16 per cent and 46.13 per cent respectively.
NERC also reported an overall revenue recovery efficiency of 74.24 per cent, underscoring the continued gap between approved tariffs, billed energy and actual cash recovered by the distribution companies.
Shettima Says Tinubu Reforms Are Helping Nigerian Firms Scale into Global Brands
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said economic and sectoral reforms under President Bola Tinubu are helping Nigerian companies expand beyond the domestic market and build stronger international brands.
Shettima spoke in Abuja while receiving a delegation from Flutterwave led by its Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Olugbenga Agboola.
The Vice President cited companies including Flutterwave, Moniepoint and Andela as examples of Nigerian businesses that had developed solutions with international relevance and expanded their operations across multiple markets.
He said government policy should deliberately support indigenous companies capable of competing globally, arguing that stronger local firms would improve Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, create jobs and project the country’s entrepreneurial capacity abroad.
Shettima praised Flutterwave for developing payment infrastructure designed around African commercial challenges and said the company had become one of the continent’s most prominent technology stories.
He assured the company of continued federal support within Nigeria and in its international expansion efforts.
Agboola said Flutterwave intended to deepen its presence across Africa and other markets while remaining rooted in Nigeria.
He said the company wanted to work with government in expanding digital payments and contributing to the administration’s economic agenda.
Flutterwave provides payment infrastructure to merchants and payment-service providers and has grown into one of Africa’s most visible fintech businesses.Water Insecurity Is a National
