The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that international customers owe a significant sum of $5.7 million for electricity supplied in the third quarter of 2024.
These customers include Paras-SBEE and Transcorp-SBEE from the Benin Republic, Mainstream-NIGELEC from Niger, and Odukpani-CEET from Togo.
Under a regional agreement, Nigeria provides electricity to neighboring countries such as Benin, Niger, and Togo.
According to NERC’s latest quarterly report, market operators (MOs) issued a total invoice of $12.19 million to six international firms, of which $6.49 million has been paid.
The report also highlighted that domestic bilateral customers settled ₦1,566.51 million of a ₦2,100.79 million invoice for the same period.
The report further pointed out that some customers had cleared outstanding payments from previous quarters.
For example, Odukpani-CEET paid $1.33 million toward overdue invoices, while domestic customers North-South/Star Pipe and Trans-Amadi (OAU/FMPI) collectively paid ₦31.51 million in arrears.
However, the NERC raised concerns over the continued non-payment by Ajaokuta Steel Co. Ltd and its host community, who failed to settle their combined invoices of ₦1.26 billion (NBET) and ₦0.11 billion (MO) for Q3 2024.
This non-payment is part of an ongoing issue, and NERC has urged the federal government to intervene to resolve the situation. The commission warned that failure to address the arrears could lead to a complete disconnection from the national grid.
In a related development, Shuaibu Audu, Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development, signed an MoU in September with Tyazhpromexport (TPE) for the rehabilitation and completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant.
The government also has plans to revitalize the plant, with further developments expected in early 2025, according to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
