The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that some international bilateral companies owe the country’s electricity generation companies (GenCos) approximately $8.5 million in unpaid power supply, according to its latest quarterly report.
NERC stated that the companies made a partial payment of $9.015 million from a total invoice of $17.54 million issued for the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, leaving a default of about $8.5 million.
“In 2025/Q2, the six international bilateral customers purchasing power from grid-connected GenCos made a cumulative payment of $9.015 million against the $17.54 million invoice issued by the Market Operator for services rendered in 2025/Q2, representing a remittance rate of 51.33%,” the report read.
Similarly, domestic bilateral customers settled N1.401 billion of a N2.79 billion invoice, reflecting a 50.10% remittance rate. NERC noted that one domestic customer, Trans-Amadi (OAU/FMPI), also made payments towards outstanding invoices from previous quarters, amounting to N10.53 million.
The report highlighted non-payment by Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and its host community, which failed to settle a N1.27 billion invoice from the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc. The company also did not pay N120 million in MO invoices for the reviewed quarter.
NERC described this pattern of non-payment as a longstanding trend and said the commission has communicated the issue to relevant Federal Government authorities for intervention.
The unpaid invoices exacerbate liquidity challenges for GenCos and reflect broader payment issues within the Nigerian electricity sector, which stakeholders have long flagged as a barrier to stable power supply and sector growth.
The commission’s report underscores the need for effective enforcement and timely payment mechanisms to ensure that electricity providers are compensated for energy supplied to both international and domestic customers.
