Electricity users across Nigeria paid about N1.2 trillion to electricity distribution companies in the first half of 2026, according to data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The amount was generated by the 11 Distribution Companies between January and June, based on their monthly commercial performance reports released by the regulator.

Collections stood at N204.75 billion in January, N196.68 billion in February and N196.13 billion in March. The DisCos recorded N203.61 billion in April, while May produced the highest monthly collection of N208.15 billion.

Revenue fell to N191.68 billion in June, the lowest figure during the six-month period.

The June collection was about N16.47 billion, or 7.9 per cent, lower than the previous month’s revenue.

NERC’s June electricity market report also showed that the DisCos received 315.73 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity during the month. They billed customers for 240.71 billion kWh, giving a billing efficiency of 76.24 per cent.

However, the companies collected N191.86 billion from the N240.71 billion billed, leaving a shortfall of N48.85 billion.

The regulator put the DisCos’ collection efficiency for June at 79.71 per cent, down from the previous month’s level.

The average tariff allowed for the DisCos was N130.15 per kWh, while the actual amount recovered averaged N96.63 per kWh. This translated to a recovery efficiency of 74.24 per cent, a decline of 3.07 percentage points from May.

Performance varied considerably among the distribution companies.

Eko Disco recorded the strongest recovery efficiency at 87.04 per cent, followed by Port Harcourt at 86.33 per cent, Benin at 82.23 per cent and Ikeja at 80.08 per cent.

Kaduna recorded the weakest recovery efficiency at 37.03 per cent, while Kano and Jos posted 44.04 per cent and 51.33 per cent respectively.

For collection efficiency, Benin led the DisCos with 94 per cent, followed by Ikeja at 89 per cent and Eko at 88.64 per cent.

Kano and Kaduna recorded the lowest collection rates, at 42.16 per cent and 46.13 per cent respectively.