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Electricity Customers Jump To 10.37m
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) customers’ numbers in Nigeria increased from 6.99million in 2015 to 10.37million in 2020.
This is according to the NBS Electricity Report 2015-2020 released in Abuja, yesterday.
The report focuses on customers numbers, metered customers, estimated billing customers, and most importantly, electricity supply and revenue collected under the reviewed period.
It said the number of customers under the reviewed period (2015-2020) increased successively on a year-on-year basis, with the highest numbers recorded in Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
“Generally, the DisCos customers’ numbers in Nigeria increased consecutively over the last six years. In 2015, 6.99million customers were recorded, and the figure rose to 7.35million in the succeeding year.
“This increased further to 7.95million customers in 2017, showing a growth rate of 8.14per cent.
“While the trend continued, 2018 and 2019 recorded 8.63million and 9.55million customers respectively, accounting for an 8.60per cent growth rate in 2018 and a 10.71per cent growth rate in 2019.”
Subsequently, customer numbers in 2020 stood at 10.37million, higher by 8.49per cent relative to 2019.
Similarly, the report showed that the number of metered customers increased consecutively on a year-on-year basis from 3.15million in 2015 to 3.80million in 2019 but declined to 3.51million in 2020.
The report said in 2015, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) recorded the highest number of metered customers, while IBEDC stood top between 2016 and 2019.
According to the report, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) recorded the highest number of metered customers in 2020.
“AEDC recorded 693,622 customers, followed by IBEDC with 671,035, while Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) recorded the least with 71,867.”
The report said the estimated billing customers’ records also showed a year-on-year positive growth rate consecutively from 3.85million in 2015 to 6.86million in 2020.
It said in 2020, the customers’ numbers were highest in IBEDC with 1,282,136, followed by IEDC and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) with 1,121,722 and 762,311, respectively.
It, however, said Eko Distribution Company (EKEDC) recorded the least with 269,022.
The report showed that electricity supplied to customers under the period of review (2015-2020) showed an unstable trajectory.
“In 2015, 20,337.40Gigawatt hours (GWh) were supplied across Nigeria. This fell by 6.36per cent in 2016 when 19,044.30GWh were supplied.
“Also, it rose in 2017 by 2.04 per cent with 19,432.39GWh and further rose in 2018 by 10.55per cent with 21,483.25GWh.
“In total, electricity supplied in 2019 stood at 22,450.67GWh but declined in 2020 by 1.82per cent when 22,042.28GWh were supplied.”
The report said IEDC recorded the highest electricity supplied in 2020 with 4,158.87GWh, followed by EKEDC and IBEDC with 3,097.87GWh and 2,841.08GWh, respectively.
AEDC ranked fourth with 2,388.00GWh, while YEDC recorded the least with 557.00GWh.
The report revealed that revenue generated by the DisCos in 2015 stood at N278,892.01million and rose to N303,029.57million in 2016, showing an 8.65per cent growth rate.
“While in In 2017, revenue had increased by 22.25per cent when N370,455.82million was received. Furthermore, collections rose by 19.48per cent in 2018, recording N442,630.09million.
“In addition, this increased by 9.03per cent in 2019 when N482,610.35million was collected. In 2020, positive growth was recorded with 9.15per cent when N526,769.33million was collected compared to the previous year.”
The report said the highest revenue collected in 2020 was by IEDC with N102,100.09million, followed by EKEDC with N81,387.10million.
The least collection was recorded in YEDC with N10,641.00million.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.
The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.
“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.
Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.
Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”
Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”
He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.
According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”
He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.
The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.
However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.
At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.
They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.
After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.
By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.
In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.
“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.
“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.
The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.
“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”
The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.
Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.
However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.
Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.
A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.
It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.
The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.
“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
But lawmakers rejected the request.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.
“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.
“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.
Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.
The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”
Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.
The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.
Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.
The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.
This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.
Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.
He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.
According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.
Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.
“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.
“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.
While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.
The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”
He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.
Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.
He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.
Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”