Reps To Approve N248.63bn Reliefs, Debt Restructuring For DisCos

House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has resolved to approve financial relief measures and a 10-year debt restructuring framework, totalling N248.63 billion for the Kano, Jos, and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

The framework covers accrued interest on debt from 2015 to September 2025, which amounted to N128.57 billion, as well as historical debts totalling N120.06 billion, bringing the combined outstanding liability to N248.63 billion.

The committee made the decision after it adopted a technical subcommittee report, which forms part of the 2021 Auditor-General for the Federation’s report on the growing indebtedness of 11 electricity distribution companies, as escalated by the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company Plc (NBET).

The chairman of the technical subcommittee, Hon. Mark Chidi Obetta, said the recommendation formed part of legislative efforts to stabilise the electricity market and address legacy liabilities affecting the sector’s financial sustainability.

The report, which reviewed the financial obligations of 11 DisCos, showed that their cumulative indebtedness rose from N1 trillion on 31 December 2024 to N1.3 trillion on 25 September 2025, comprising both principal and interest components.

Presenting its findings, the committee said the investigation aimed to verify the Auditor-General’s claims, establish the current debt position, and identify the reasons for DisCos’ persistent failure to meet their payment obligations.

The committee confirmed that as at the end of 2024, the reconciled liability of the eleven DisCos stood at N1 trillion covering both principal and interest, but rose to N1.3 trillion by September 2025 due to continued accruals.

A major issue during the hearings was the dispute over interest charges on outstanding invoices, with the Jos, Ikeja, and Kano DisCos contesting their legitimacy, arguing that the Market Rules did not explicitly provide for them.

In response to these concerns, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) issued a directive dated January 2026 that NBET should not charge interest on outstanding invoices from 2015 to 2020, but should mandate NBET to charge interest on outstanding invoices from 2021 onward.

The regulator also directed that any interest linked to delays involving MERISTEM be disregarded.

Consequently, NBET was instructed to recompute the DisCos’ liabilities, including the N128 billion interest accrued to Jos, Kano, and Ikeja.

The report said, “Based on appearance, submissions and requests, the Committee established that Jos and Kano Electricity Distribution Companies remain significantly indebted to NBET. The interest component and accrued debt during the government receivership period form a substantial part of Kano Disco’s liabilities.”

The report further stated that, “NBET and NERC should allow Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Jos Electricity Distribution Company and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, with significant legacy obligations, to restructure and repay their historical debts totalling N120,061,898,737 (including any obligation accrued during the early stabilisation period) over an extended period of not more than 10 years.

”Liabilities incurred during periods of government intervention or receivership by Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), totalling N13,399,000,000, should be reviewed and transferred to the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) in line with precedents previously applied within the sector.

“That the market regulator, NERC, should issue a directive to NBET to waive all interest accrued in line with the terms of its letter dated January 2026 from 2015-September 2025, totalling 128,575,190,740.54 for Jos, Kano and Ikeja Disco, representing the new market stabilisation era focused on service-reflective tariffs, massive metering and structural reform.

“This is due to the fact that MERISTEM was introduced as a financial Intermediary to manage liquidity challenges in the sector, including monthly invoice settlements through escrow account arrangements.

“Moreover, the current structure does not allow DisCos to charge commiserate interest on unpaid invoices to their customers, including Federal and State Government ministries, departments and agencies.

“In addition, these DisCos do not have direct access to their sales collections, as the current market settlement system (escrow account) is on a first-line charge to first settle market obligations before operating expenses are released to the DisCos.

“All DisCos should ensure strict compliance with their current market obligations going forward to prevent further accumulation of liabilities.”

The Committee’s Chairman, Hon. Bamidele Salam, urged strict compliance with market obligations by all DisCos to prevent further debt accumulation.

He warned that without urgent financial restructuring and regulatory intervention, the sustainability of Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector could remain a