Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies (Discos) lost more than 1.13 million customers in 2025 despite recording higher electricity supply, increased revenue and expanded metering, according to new data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
The figures, compiled from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, show that the total number of electricity customers dropped from 13.30 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 12.16 million in the same period of 2025, representing an 8.52 per cent decline.
Although the customer base shrank, electricity supplied by the Discos increased by 6.76 per cent, rising from 6,207.85 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to 6,627.56 GWh over the same period.
The sector also recorded stronger financial performance, with total revenue growing by 23.75 per cent to ₦630.93 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to ₦509.84 billion a year earlier. Annual revenue collections rose from ₦1.69 trillion in 2024 to ₦2.32 trillion in 2025.
Among the distribution companies, Ikeja Electric> generated the highest annual revenue at ₦440.86 billion, followed by Eko Electricity Distribution Company with ₦420.57 billion, while Abuja Electricity Distribution Company recorded ₦375.95 billion.
Metering also improved significantly during the year. The number of metered customers increased from 6.21 million to 6.97 million, while the proportion of customers using prepaid meters rose from 46.71 per cent to 57.27 per cent. At the same time, the number of customers receiving estimated bills fell by 26.67 per cent, dropping from 7.09 million to 5.20 million.
Despite these gains, several Discos experienced major customer losses. Benin Electricity Distribution Company recorded the largest decline, losing 379,616 customers, followed by Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company with 341,150, and Yola Electricity Distribution Company with 311,527. Other companies, including Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Kano, Eko and Jos Discos, also reported declines.
Conversely, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company added 245,129 customers, while Abuja Disco gained 146,378 and Ikeja Electric increased its customer base by 22,016.
The decline in customer numbers comes as more households, manufacturers and businesses turn to self-generated or off-grid electricity due to persistent power outages and rising electricity tariffs. Reports indicate that several large industrial users have disconnected from the national grid, while listed companies spent more than ₦400 billion on alternative energy sources during the first quarter of 2026.
Meanwhile, Joseph Tegbe has assured Nigerians that electricity supply will improve before the end of the year, saying the Federal Government is implementing reforms aimed at addressing years of underinvestment and inefficiencies in the power sector.
Key Highlights
Electricity Discos lost 1.13 million customers between Q4 2024 and Q4 2025.
Electricity supplied increased by 6.76%, while sector revenue rose by 23.75%.
Metered customers grew to 6.97 million, reducing reliance on estimated billing.
Benin, Kaduna and Yola Discos recorded the largest customer losses.
More households and businesses are switching to alternative power sources because of unreliable grid supply and rising electricity costs.