This followed a directive to the electricity companies by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
National War College, Chinese Embassy, Band “A” customers in at least 557 streets across the country and others will receive compensation from electricity distribution companies (DisCos).
This followed a directive to the electricity companies by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
According to NERC, the order was issued because the companies failed to meet the minimum 20-hour daily electricity supply requirement stipulated under the revised electricity tariff regime.
The directive, contained in the April 2025 Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) released by NERC, affected 152 electricity feeders and mandated compensation through electricity credits or improved power supply.
The MYTO said, “Pursuant to the provisions of the order on migration of customers and compensation for service failure under the service-based tariff framework (‘Order on Migration’) and the directive to electricity distribution companies on Band A feeder performance monitoring, upgrade and downgrade (‘Directive for Operationalisation of Band A Feeders’), the commission, based on the feeder performance report for March 1, 2025, hereby orders as follows.”
DisCos listed in the directive include Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Ikeja Electric (IE), Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDC).
Enugu Electricity Distribution Company was also instructed to improve power supply in certain areas.
The order comes one year after NERC implemented a controversial over-300 per cent tariff hike for Band A customers, the highest-paying category, who were promised at least 20 hours of daily electricity supply.
Despite the hike and the expansion of the Band A network, many customers have complained of erratic power supply, higher production costs, and decreased disposable income.
In the latest order, NERC stated, “AEDC shall make appropriate compensation to the affected customers in Band A feeders listed in Appendix 3 for failure to deliver up to 20 hours of average supply, but more than 18 hours of average supply, in line with the provisions of the Order on Migration while the feeders shall remain as Band A.
“AEDC shall downgrade the Band A feeder listed in Appendix 2 to the commensurate level of supply and make appropriate compensation to the affected customers in line with the provisions of the Order on Migration.”
EKEDC tops the list with compensation due on 155 streets across 57 feeders. AEDC follows with compensation to be made to customers on 74 streets across 20 feeders.
Notable locations listed for compensation under AEDC include the National War College, Chinese Embassy, Army Resettlement, Papal Ground, Aso Garden, Sahad Super Stores, NERC headquarters, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Headquarters, Bassan Plaza, Reiz Continental, Nalado, Area One and Area Two, Nicon Luxury, Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Identity Management Commission, and the Ministry of Works and Housing.
PHED is required to compensate customers across 131 streets on 22 feeders.
Other DisCos ordered to provide compensation include IE (105 streets on 25 feeders), IBEDC (59 streets on 14 feeders), BEDC (14 streets on four feeders), KEDCO (two streets on two feeders), and KAEDC (three streets on one feeder).
In addition to the compensation directive, NERC has also ordered a downgrade of 58 streets on 15 feeders from Band A due to persistent underperformance, while 33 streets on 15 feeders are being upgraded to Band A status following improved electricity supply.
Twenty-six streets on three feeders under AEDC are among those to be downgraded. EKEDC, EEDC, KEDCO, KAEDC, IE, IBEDC, and BEDC were also ordered to downgrade streets under their respective feeders.
Meanwhile, EEDC has been authorised to upgrade 21 streets across eight feeders, Yola Electricity Distribution Company six streets on five feeders, and Jos Electricity Distribution Company another six streets on five feeders.
The NERC directive marks a significant step toward holding DisCos accountable for service delivery under the service-reflective tariff model, even as customers and businesses continue to demand more reliable electricity nationwide.
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