The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recorded 4,180 complaints from electricity consumers in the fourth quarter of 2024, with a resolution rate of 29.45 per cent, according to its latest quarterly report.
The report, published on NERC’s website shows that 1,231 complaints were resolved during the period, reflecting a 1.70 percentage point decline from the 31.15 per cent resolution rate recorded in Q3 2024.
Breakdown of Complaints by DisCos Consumers in Ikeja and Eko Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) filed the highest number of complaints, accounting for 41.41 per cent (1,731 complaints) and 20.00 per cent (836 complaints), respectively. Aba Power had the lowest number, with just eight complaints (0.19 per cent).
NERC acknowledged the low resolution rate and said it is taking steps to improve faster complaint resolution by electricity distribution companies.
The report identified the four most common issues raised in Q4 2024, which together accounted for 89.86 per cent of total complaints: Metering issues – 36.82 per cent; Billing disputes; – 31.24 per cent; Service interruptions – 15.50 per cent; Tariff band concerns – 6.29 per cent.
NERC noted that complaints related to billing disputes resulted in a credit adjustment of N40.2 million on affected customers’ accounts.
Across all DisCos, the total number of consumer complaints dropped to 275,681 in Q4 2024, marking a 16.13 per cent decline from the 328,696 complaints recorded in Q3 2024.
Port Harcourt DisCo received the highest number of complaints (54,683 cases, 9.84 per cent of total complaints), while Yola DisCo had the lowest (1,917 cases, 0.69 per cent).
Nine DisCos recorded a decline in complaints compared to the previous quarter, including Kaduna, Kano, Eko, Yola, Enugu, and Abuja DisCos. However, Benin, Aba, and Ikeja DisCos saw an increase in customer complaints.