Nigerians Protest DisCos' Estimated Billing Practices

In Nigeria, there has been ongoing protest against the exploitative billing practices of electricity distribution companies (DisCos). Many consumers, particularly those without pre-paid meters, face exorbitant estimated bills despite inadequate power supply.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has reported that the metering rate increased slightly from 62.4 per cent to 63.1 per cent by the end of August. However, the number of newly metered customers decreased from 159,980 in July to 141,746 in August.

A significant disparity exists among DisCos, with Eko, Ikeja, and Abuja exceeding 80 per cent metering rates, while Jos, Yola, Kaduna, and Kano remain below 43 per cent. Consumers suspect that DisCos intentionally limit the distribution of meters, as the estimated billing system is more profitable for them.

Frustration continues to grow among Nigerians regarding the persistent practice of charging based on projected usage rather than actual consumption.