Electricity is a basic need for the economic growth and development of a nation, you will agree with me that electricity is used to power almost all home appliances, even cars now run on electricity.
long before now, electricity in Nigeria was provided by NEPA (National Electric Power Authority) or I will say was the major electricity firm in Nigeria, of course, that is where the popular “Up NEPA” slang was coined from and it is used when the power comes on in Nigeria.
In 2005, NEPA was changed to PHCN (Power Holding Company of Nigeria) as a result of the power sector reform process. Then in 2013, the privatization of PHCN was consummated when President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan handed over the subsidiary companies that made up PHCN to new core investors.
We shall look at the history of electricity in Nigeria later in this article, but first, let’s look at the list of electric distribution companies in Nigeria, i.e the private company PHCN was handed over too.
How many electricity distribution companies do we have in Nigeria?
Nigeria has eleven (11) distribution companies. The electric distribution companies are located in 10 states and the federal capital territory of Nigeria. They are responsible for the supply of power to all 36 states of the federation.
List of distribution companies in Nigeria
1 Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Plc (KE):
Kaduna Electric is one of the electricity distribution company in Nigeria, their head office is located at No 1-2 Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna, Kaduna State Nigeria, the district they service include Kaduna it’s self Makera, Doka, Birnin Kebbi, Gusau, Sokoto, and Zaria.
More information about Kaduna electricity distribution company
Kaduna electricity distribution company is responsible for retail distribution and marketing of electricity to four states namely Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. The company has a customer population of about 490,000 and they are ranked as the 7th largest DisCo in distribution capacity and 6th largest in the number of households among the 11 Distribution Companies (DisCos).
Board of director and management of Kaduna electricity distribution company
- MD/CEO: Mr. Yusuf Yahaya
The official website for Kaduna Electric: https://kadunaelectric.com/
2 Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc:
Enugu Electricity Distribution Company is another electric distribution company in Nigeria, its headquarters is located at 62 Okpara Avenue, Enugu Enugu State, Nigeria. The district they service include Aba, Abakaliki, Abakpa, Awka, Ogui, Onitsha, Owerri, Nnewi, and Umuahia
More information about Enugu Electricity Distribution Company
Enugu Electricity Distribution Company distributes electricity across the five South Eastern States of Nigeria namely Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo, they provide retail distribution of electricity to about 1 million people within their franchise. The company has a size of 5,001-10,000 employees.
Board and management of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company
- Chairman: Sir Dr. Emeka Offor
- MD/CEO: Mr. Praveen Chorghade
Official website of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company: https://www.enugudisco.com/
3 Yola Electricity Distribution Company Plc (YEDC):
Yola Electricity Distribution Company is one of 11 power distribution company in Nigeria, their head office is located at No 2, Atiku Abubakar Road, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State. The district they service includes Yola, Maiduguri, Taraba, and Damaturu districts.
More information about Yola Electricity Distribution Company
Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) is responsible for the distribution of energy to Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, and Yobe states of Nigeria. After the company’s privatization in 2013, it was handed back to Government. Later in January 2022, it was then acquired by Quest Electricity Nigeria Limited which currently manages it.
Board and management of Yola Electricity Distribution Company
- Chairman: Omatseyin Ayida
- MD/CEO: Umar Abubakar Hashidu
Official website of Yola Electricity Distribution Company: https://www.yedc.com.ng/
4 Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC):
Ibadan Electricity Distribution company’s Headquarters is situated at Capital Building, 115 MKO Abiola Way (former Ring Road), Ibadan, Oyo State. The district they service are Abeokuta, Dugbe, Molete, Ijebu-Ode, Osogbo, Ilorin, Sango-Ota, and Oyo.
More information about Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company covers Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, and parts of Niger, Ekiti and Kogi States. they cover the largest franchise in Nigeria with coverage of 7 States.
Board and management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company
- Chairman: Dr. John Olatunde Ayeni
Official website of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company: https://www.ibedc.com/
5 Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc (JED):
Jos distribution company is another Nigeria distribution company on our list of DisCos, their head office is located at No 9 Ahmadu Bello Way, Jos. The JED or JEDC services four districts which are Jos, Makurdi, Bauchi, and Gombe districts.
More information about Jos Electricity Distribution Company
Jos Electricity Distribution Company serves four States in Nigeria namely Benue, Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe state. JDC has a total of 600,000 customers they provide electricity to in the 4 States they service.
Board and management of Jos Electricity Distribution Company
- Chairman Alh Babangida Inuwa
- Ag. MD/CEO: Mammanlafia Umar
Official website for Jos Electricity Distribution Company: https://jedplc.com/
In this article we have six more electricity distribution company to go but before we move on
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Moving forward we shall be looking at the remaining six power distribution companies in Nigeria, The number six on our list:
6 Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC):
The Eko Electric corporate headquarters is located at 24/25 Marina Rd, Lagos Island, Lagos Nigeria. The EKEDC service eleven districts, this district includes Lekki, Ibeju, Islands, Orile, Ijora, Apapa, Mushin, Festac, Ojo, Ajah and Agbara.
More information about Eko Electricity Distribution Company
EKEDC is responsible for the distribution of power in the southern part of Lagos State and the Agbara community in Ogun State. They service about 489,233 customers while they have a company size of 3247 employees.
Board and management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company
- Chairman: Oritsedere Otubu
- MD/CEO: Tinuade Sanda
Official website for Eko Electricity Distribution Company: https://ekedp.com/
7 Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IE or IKEDC):
Ikeja Electric is the second electricity distribution company in Lagos state, its headquarters is located at Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. They service the remaining six districts in Lagos state, these districts include Ikeja, Shomolu, Akowonjo, Ikorodu, Oshodi and Abule-Egba.
More information about Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company
Ikeja Electric is the largest power distribution network in Nigeria, they serve only Lagos state and distribute electricity to over 1,000,000 customers. Ikeja Electric has a company size of about 1,001-5,000 employees and is also partly owned by the federal government of Nigeria with 40% interest as other electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.
Board and management of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company
- CEO: Folake Soetan.
Official website for Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company: https://ikejaelectric.com
8 Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc (PHED):
This is another distribution company in Nigeria, the company headquarters is located at No 1, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria. Their service district includes Calabar, Diobu, Ikom/Ogoja, Borikiri, Uyo and Yenegoa districts.
More information about Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company
Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company provides power for a total of 14 million people across 4 states and partly in 1 state in Nigeria, the states include Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom and some parts of Delta state. The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company is owned and managed by 4 power consortium LTD.
Board and management of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution
- Chairman: Ransome Owan
- MD/CEO: Dr. Henry Ajagbawa
Official website of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company: https://phed.com.ng/
9 Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EEDC):
Benin Electricity Distribution Company is located in Edo state Nigeria, their headquarters is at No 5 Akpakpava Street, Benin, Edo state Nigeria. Their service district includes Ado-Ekiti, Afenonesan, Akure, Asaba, Akpakpava, ‘Ugbowo and Warri.
More information about Benin Electricity Distribution Company
BEDC is a joint venture between Vigeo Power Limited (Vigeo Power) and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) represented by Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Ministry of Finance (MOFI), with the majority being held by Vigeo Power as the core investor.
They provide retail distribution of electricity to over 13 million people across four different States which are Delta, Edo, Ekiti, and Ondo States. BEDC is the 4th largest Disco in distribution capacity and 3rd largest in number of households among the (Discos) being privatized.
Board and management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company
- Chairman: Victor G. Osibodu
- MD/CEOFunke Osibodu (Mrs.)
Official website site for Benin Electricity Distribution Company: http://bedcpower.com/
10 Kano Electricity Distribution Company plc (KEDCO):
The KEDCO is a power distribution company located in the Northwestern region of Nigeria, the company head office is located at No 1 Niger Street/Post Office Road, Kano, Nigeria. Their service district includes Nassarawa, Dala, Katsina, Dutse, Kumbotso, Funtua, and Dakata districts.
More information about Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
Kano Electricity Distribution Company is responsible for distributing electricity between three states which are Kano, Katsina and Jigawa.
Board and management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company
- Chairman: Hassan Tukur
- (MD/CEO): Ahmed Dangana
Official website of Kano Electricity Distribution Company: https://www.kedco.ng/
11 Abuja Electricity Distribution Company plc (AEDC):
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) is one of the 11 power distribution companies in Nigeria, its headquarters is located at No 1 Ziguinchor Street, Off IBB Way, Wuse Zone 4, FCT. AEDC Distribution districts include Abuja, Minna Suleja, Lokoja, and Lafia Districts.
More information about Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC)
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company provides power in 3 states and the federal capital territory of Nigeria, which are Niger State, Kogi State, Nassarawa State and the FCT. AEDC is owned by KANN Utility Limited (KANN) which owns 60% of AEDC while The Federal Government of Nigeria holds 40% equity in AEDC.
Board and Management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company
Chairman: Mr. Victor Osadolor
MD/CEO: Adeoye Fadeyibi
Official website for Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC): https://www.abujaelectricity.com/
Function of DisCos
The core function of all eleven distribution companies in Nigeria is to transmit and distribute electricity, sale of electricity, maintenance of overhead and underground lines, installation of electric poles, and metering.
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History of electricity in Nigeria.
The first 30KW generating plant was installed in the city of Lagos in 1898, marking the beginning of Nigeria’s progress in the field of electric power. From that point on until 1950, distinct electrical ventures set up in various towns by Native or Municipal authorities guided the pattern of power growth.
The Nigerian Government Power Project was established inside the former Public Works Development (PWD) in 1946 to assume control of electricity in Lagos State.
The government passed the Power Corporation of Nigeria Ordinance No.1 of 1950 in 1950 to standardize and foster efficient electricity development. This legislation centralized management of PWD’s power divisions and other electrical businesses.
To manage the production, transmission, distribution, and sale of energy to all Nigerian customers, the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) was subsequently founded as a statutory entity.
An Act of Parliament formed the Niger Dams Authority in 1962. The Authority was in charge of building and maintaining dams and other works on the Niger River and elsewhere, producing energy through water, improving navigation, and encouraging fisheries and agriculture.
By order No.24 of 1972, the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) and the Niger Dams Authority (NDA) amalgamated to become the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). The Authority was tasked with developing and maintaining an effective, coordinated economic system of power supply for the whole Federation.
The Authority produces energy mostly from hydroelectric and thermal sources. Shiroro Hydro Power Station has a 600MW capacity, Kainji Hydro Power Station has a 760MW capacity, and Jebba Hydro Power Station has a 578.4MW capacity. Delta IV Thermal Power Station, Afam Thermal Power Station, and Sapele Thermal Power Station all have a combined 696MW, 600MW, 600MW, and 1020MW of thermal power.
NEPA was renamed Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in 2004 due to the need to reorganize the power market. The PHCN was divided into 11 distribution companies, 1 transmission company, and 6 generation companies under the Electricity Reform Act of 2005.
While writing this article we gathered some frequently asked questions about the Nigeria power sector and we have provided detailed answer to them
Which is the largest electricity distribution company in Nigeria?
Ikeja Electric is the largest power distribution network in Nigeria, they serve only Lagos state and distribute electricity to over 1,000,000 customers.
How many electricity distribution companies are in Lagos?
There is two electric distribution company in Lagos, they are the Eko Distribution Company (EKEDC) and the Ikeja Distribution Company (IKEDC). each of them has a district to which they cover within Lagos state, Eko Distribution Company (EKEDC)cover Lekki, Ibeju, Islands, Orile, Ijora, Apapa, Mushin, Festac, Ojo, Ajah district and Agbara district (a community in Ogun state). While Ikeja Distribution Company (IKEDC) covers Ikeja, Shomolu, Akowonjo, Ikorodu, Oshodi and Abule-Egba districts.
Which state has the best electricity supply in Nigeria?
Based on supply, Lagos state has the best electricity supply in Nigeria, it is supplied with 1,657GWh of electricity which doubles the amount of electricity supply FCT-Abuja gets. Abuja only receives 815GWh of electricity which makes it rank second among states that have the best electricity supply in Nigeria.
Lagos is Africa’s fifth-largest economy, and it has two electricity distribution companies, I Think it deserves the high amount of power its receives.
What is the greatest source of power supply in Nigeria?
Nigeria’s source of Electricity is generated from Hydropower thermal or heat energy and fossil fuels. Authority produces energy mostly from hydroelectric and thermal sources.
Shiroro Hydro Power Station has a 600MW capacity, Kainji Hydro Power Station has a 760MW capacity, and Jebba Hydro Power Station has a 578.4MW capacity. Delta IV Thermal Power Station, Afam Thermal Power Station, and Sapele Thermal Power Station all have a combined 696MW, 600MW, 600MW, and 1020MW of thermal power.
Meaning of Hydropower:
Hydropower also known as water power, is the use of falling or fast-running water to produce electricity or to power machines.
Meaning of Thermal power:
A thermal power station is a type of power station in which heat energy is converted to electrical energy.
Meaning of fossil fuel
Fossil fuel is a hydrocarbon-containing material formed naturally in the earth’s crust from the remains of dead plants and animals that is extracted and burned as a fuel The main fossil fuels are coal, crude oil and natural gas.
Which state is electricity generated from in Nigeria?
Electricity is generated from 12 States in Nigeria, this States are Niger, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Abia, Imo, Ondo, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi, and Delta.
List of power generating plants in Nigeria, State they are located and the capacity they produce.
| S/N | Power station and state located. | Year established | Generating Capacity |
| 1 | Kainji hydro power station, Niger state. | 1968 | 760MW |
| 2 | Jebba power station, Niger state. | 1985 | 576.8MW |
| 3 | Shiroro power station, Niger state. | 1990 | 600MW |
| 4 | Egbin gas power station, Lagos state. | Completed between 1985 and 1986 | 1, 320MW, currently the largest Genco in the country |
| 5 | AES barge Independent Power Plant (IPP), Lagos state. | 2001 | 270MW |
| 6 | Paras Energy plant, Lagos state. (privately-owned independent Nigerian energy provider). | In operation since 2009 | 132MW |
| 7 | Olorunsogo 1 power station, Ogun state. | 2007 | 335MW |
| 8 | Olorunsogo-2 built under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Ogun state. Is an extension of the Olorunsogo 1 335 MW Power Plant | Completed in 2012. | 675MW |
| 9 | Sapele power station, Delta State. | 1981 | 1, 020MW |
| 10 | Transcorp Ughelli power station, Delta State. | built between 1966 and 1990 | 972MW |
| 11 | Okpai power station, Delta State. | 2005 | 480MW |
| 12 | Sapele NIPP plan, Delta State. | 450MW | |
| 13 | Afam I-IV and V power plants, River State. | Completed between 1982 and 2002 | 977MW |
| 14 | Afam VI power plant owned by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Ventures, River State. | 2008 | 650MW |
| 15 | Omoku power station, River State. | Completed in 2002 | 150MW |
| 16 | Trans-Amadi power station, River State. | 136MW | |
| 17 | Rivers IPP, River State. | 180MW | |
| 18 | Omoku-2 NIPP plant, River State. | As of May 2021 and it is still unclear if the plant has been completed. | 226MW |
| 19 | Geregu-1 power station, Kogi state. | 2007 | 414MW |
| 20 | Geregu-2 II NIPP power station, Kogi state. | 2012 | 434MW |
| 21 | Omotosho-1 power station, Ondo state. | 2006 | 336MW |
| 22 | Omotosho NIPP power station, Ondo state. | 2012 | 450MW |
| 23 | Alaoji NIPP power station, Abia state. | completed between 2012-2015 | 1074MW |
| 24 | NIPP Ihovbor power station, Edo state. | completed between 2012-2013 | 450MW |
| 25 | Azura Power, EDO state | 2018 | 461MW |
| 26 | NIPP Egbema power station, Imo state. | completed between 2012-2013 (Non-operational) | 338MW |
| 27 | NIPP Calabar power station, Cross River state. | 2014 (Non-operational) | 561MW |
| 28 | NIPP Gbarain power plant, Bayelsa state. | 2017 | 225MW |
Why does Nigeria have no stable electricity?
Electricity in Nigeria is unstable due to generation and transmission problems. The country has been unable to meet demand because of its policies, regulations and management of operations. Reports have it that the national grid has collapsed at least five times in 2022 which points out poor management.
How can we improve electricity supply in Nigeria?
In other for electricity to improve in Nigeria, we must note the following.
1 learn and sturdy from advanced country.
2 upgrade and proper management of transmission equipment.
3 embracing the use of renewable energy.
4 public-private partnerships.
5 Diversification Of Power Source.
6 providing more strict security to prevent pipeline vandalism.
7 creating policies and regulatory agencies or bodies.
8 organizing Training and seminars for staff.
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