FG to Begin Overhaul of Failing Electricity Distribution Companies

By Achimi Muktar

In a major push to rescue Nigeria’s struggling electricity distribution sector, the Federal Government has announced an ambitious overhaul starting with a pilot reform of two underperforming distribution companies (DisCos).

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made the revelation on Tuesday, stating that the move comes after a thorough review of deep-rooted issues hobbling the sector — including poor governance, outdated infrastructure, and widespread inefficiencies.

According to Adelabu, the pilot phase, set to roll out between May and August 2025, will target one DisCo in the North and another in the South. These pilot reforms are expected to serve as a blueprint for nationwide turnaround, focusing on a blend of internal restructuring, global technical support, and strategic federal oversight.

The Ministry has already held a strategic meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which presented a comprehensive roadmap titled “Revamping of the Distribution Sector in Nigeria.”

“The distribution companies have become the weakest link in Nigeria’s power value chain, and this initiative is a crucial step toward fixing that,” Adelabu stated.

If successful, the reforms will be scaled across other DisCos, setting a new standard for power delivery and customer satisfaction — and finally offering a glimmer of hope for Nigerians tired of blackout-plagued living.