The National Coordinator of the Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity, labeled last year’s performance of Nigeria’s Electricity
Distribution Companies as appalling.
This was disclosed by Bosah in an interview on Wednesday, according to NAN.
He criticized the DisCos for focusing on profit rather than upgrading infrastructure, highlighting widespread consumer complaints about erratic power supply and high electricity bills.
He also condemned the DisCos for not distributing free meters to as many Nigerians as possible, stressing that the prevalence of estimated billing in the absence of prepaid meters remains a significant problem in the industry.
“Approximately 55 percent of households connected to the national grid, around seven million, still lack meters. Meters, which should be provided free of charge by the DISCOs, have become an expensive commodity due to a profit-driven meter supply mechanism.
“In 2024, many consumers were forced to purchase prepaid meters at exorbitant prices from Meter Asset Providers (MAP), exacerbating the financial strain on households. This is a clear example of how the privatisation of the sector has turned it into a money-spinning venture at the expense of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Bosah also criticized the energy inequality perpetuated by the DisCos with government approval, where some Nigerians receive more electricity than others.
He likened the high Band A tariff, which offers premium services to a select few, to an “apartheid-styled” system, where only the wealthy can afford power, while the majority suffer in darkness or have minimal access to electricity.
He further argued that electricity should be a basic right, not a privilege, and emphasized that the sector should focus on ensuring electricity availability for the people, rather than being obsessed with profits.
““A significant factor contributing to the sector’s crisis is the shortage of gas for power generation.
“As a country rich in oil and gas resources, Nigeria should be investing more in gas exploration and transportation to ensure a steady and affordable supply for power plants.
“However, the government’s lack of investment and reliance on multinational companies have led to high gas prices, further compounding the sector’s challenges,” he noted.
He advocated for reducing gas prices from $2.4 per MMBTU to under $1 per MMBTU to facilitate greater power generation and enhance the economy.
The expert also pointed out the frequent grid collapses in 2024 as a failing of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, highlighting that they are evidence of the shortcomings in Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.
“The most recent grid failure, which occurred on Dec. 11, marked the 12th collapse of the year. This highlighted the pressing need for modernisation and investment in the transmission network.
“The core issues in Nigeria’s power sector—neglect, lack of investment, and failed privatisation—have led to a system in disarray, with generating plants operating at a fraction of their installed capacity.
“Despite having the potential to generate 14,000MW of electricity, the country struggles to produce even 4,000MW on average, further illustrating the scale of the crisis,” he added.
He added that if public funds, which are “currently being misallocated,” were invested in the power sector, Nigeria could achieve affordable and uninterrupted power supply.
