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Togo, Niger, Benin Owe Nigeria Over ₦25bn for Electricity; Ajaokuta Steel, Host Community N1.03bn in Debt
NERC reports that Togo, Niger, and Benin owe Nigeria over ₦25 billion for electricity, while Ajaokuta Steel Company and its host community owe ₦1.03 billion. The commission calls for government intervention to ensure payments and maintain power sector stability
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and its host community owe over ₦1.03 billion for electricity supply.
The Ajaokuta integrated steel complex was established to serve as a metallurgical and engineering hub, fostering upstream and downstream industrial activities crucial for Nigeria’s economic diversification into an industrial economy.
In its Third Quarter 2025 report, NERC stated: “The special customer (Ajaokuta Steel Co. Ltd and the host community) did not make any payment towards the ₦1.03 billion (NBET) and ₦0.10 billion (MO) invoices received in 2025/Q3. This continues a longstanding trend of non-payment by this customer, and the Commission has communicated the need for intervention on this issue to the relevant FGN authorities.”
Togo, Niger, Benin
The commission also disclosed that Togo, Niger, and Benin owe Nigeria $17.8 million (over ₦25 billion at current exchange rates) for electricity supplied under bilateral agreements.
NERC reported: “The three (3) international bilateral customers being supplied by GenCos in the NESI made a payment of $7.12 million against the cumulative invoice of $18.69 million issued by the MO for services rendered in 2025/Q3, translating to a remittance performance of 38.09%.
“The domestic bilateral customers made a cumulative payment of ₦3,192.30 million against the invoice of ₦3,643.56 million issued to them by the MO for services rendered in 2025/Q3, translating to 87.61% remittance performance.
“It is noteworthy that some bilateral customers also made payments for outstanding MO invoices from previous quarters, as follows: the MO received $7.84 million from the international bilateral customers and ₦1,299.66 million from the domestic bilateral customers.”
NERC emphasized the need for government intervention to ensure compliance from both domestic and international customers to maintain stability and revenue flow in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
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