In Nigeria, various steps have been taken to revamp the power sector, and one of such was the privatization of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria) (PHCN in 2013. This led to the emergence of 11 electricity distribution companies in Nigeria that cover the country’s various states.
The transfer of these companies to private corporations has also witnessed drastic changes in Nigeria’s power supply. While some have performed extremely well, others have been plagued with various challenges.
All The Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria & The States They Cover
There a total of 11 registered and operational electricity distribution companies in Nigeria covering various regions of the country. These regions often cut across states which means that one company might be operational beyond one state.
1. Abuja Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: Loma Mansa St, Wuse, Abuja
- Contact No.: +234 803 901 2323
- Number of Offices: 32 offices
- Customer Population: More than 1 million customers
- States Covered: Niger State, Kogi State, Nassarawa State, and Abuja
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) was actually established back in 1997; however, the company began its operations as a private entity on November 1st, 2013. 60% of the firm’s equity shares were acquired by KANN Utility Limited (KANN), while the Federal Government of Nigeria retained the remaining 40% equity share.
AEDC provides electricity to more than 1 million consumers, which covers the FCT, Kogi State, Nassarawa State, and Niger State. More so, since it became a private entity, it has been in charge of managing meter installations, billing, servicing, and the collection of revenue in its designated area. However, these services have not been hitch-free. Studies show that electricity is not adequately distributed in areas covered by the AEDC, and suggestions have been put forward to ensure that SME’s in the area get more electricity supply to boost their business operation.
2. Benin Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: 5 Akpakpava Rd, Avbiama, Benin City, Edo State
- Contact No.: +234 815 018 1818
- Number of Offices: More than 300 offices
- Customer Population: More than 10 million consumers
- States Covered: Delta State, Ondo State, Part of Ekiti and Benin States
Benin Distribution Company is notable for covering a vast area that is more than 55,000 square kilometers. It includes the whole of Edo State, Ondo State, Ekiti State, and Delta State. The company is also known to provide services to 25 business districts in these areas and caters to over 13 million customers.
Since its operation as a private establishment after being acquired by Vigeo Power Limited, BEDC has performed very well. As of 2018, the company received praises from residents in different parts of Benin for their effective and efficient services. Many also commended BEDC for providing stable power supply that lasts for more than 12 hours daily.
3. Enugu Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: 62 Okpara Avenue, Enugu, Enugu State
- Contact No.: 084 700 100
- Number of Offices: More than 100 offices
- Customer Population: More than 8 million customers
- States Covered: Abia State, Imo State, Anambra State, Ebonyi State, Enugu State
Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), owned by both Interstate Electrics Limited and the Federal Government, has performed tremendously over the years, with the majority being owned by the former. The company has been able to devise various ways to curtail the vandalization of their assets and check the fraudulent activities of individuals in terms of power supply.
In 2017, EEDC emerged as the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) Safety rating winner, which was very impressive as it held the 5th position in the previous year. Over the years, they have also created very customer-friendly ways to pay bills and lodge complaints, including the E-Bills subscriptions available to all their clients.
4. Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: Capital Building, 115 Moshood Abiola Way (Old Ring Rd.), Ibadan, Oyo State
- Contact No.: +234 700 1239 999
- Number of Offices: More than 200 offices
- Customer Population: More than 15 million consumers
- States Covered: Oyo State, Ogun State, Osun State, Kwara State, and parts of Kogi, Ekiti, and the Niger States
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company is notable as the largest energy distribution company in the country. Like others in different parts of Nigeria, the company was launched in November 2013 to unbundle the Nigeria energy sector. IBEDC is currently being managed by Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company Limited. They are also known for partnering with one of the biggest energy distributors in the Philippines, Meralco Company.
A few years after its privatization process had been completed, IBEDC witnessed an appreciable level of success in providing a stable power supply sometime in 2015. However, this was short-lived. The company began to encounter several challenges in providing electricity to its designated areas and even had to make a press release to address the issue.
5. Jos Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: No 9 Ahmadu Bello Way, Jos, Plateau State
- Contact No.: +234 706 940 3531
- Number of Offices: More than 100 offices
- Customer Population: More than 1 million consumers
- States Covered: Plateau State, Bauchi State, Benue State, and the Gombe States
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company was also created in 2013 to improve the power supply in Nigeria. Its current owners are now Aura Energy, and since its conversion as a private entity, the energy distributor has done tremendously well.
Beyond providing stable energy supply to its designated areas, JED Plc, a Jos Electricity Distribution Company, has also been praised for making available efficient facilities to aid better electricity usage.
6. Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: No 1-2 Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna, Kaduna State
- Contact No.: +234817 403 5711, +234818 988 4459
- Number of Offices: More than 5 offices
- Customer Population: More than 500,000 consumers
- States Covered: Sokoto State, Kebbi State, Zamfara State, and Kaduna State
The privatization of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company was finalized towards the end of 2014, and North West Power Limited became its new owners after paying a whopping $163 million. The distribution company, which ranks as the 7th largest energy distribution company in Nigeria, is notable as the sole provider of electricity to states like Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Kaduna.
More so, barely a few months after being acquired by North West Power Limited, the company’s operations improved. Some manufacturers in Kaduna acknowledged the improvement and publicly expressed their gratitude to the firm. Their businesses had received a massive boost from their relentless effort to provide a stable power supply.
7. Kano Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: No 1 Niger Street/Post Office Road, Kano State
- Contact No.: 0700-5555-1111
- Number of Offices: More than 5 offices
- Customer Population: More than 1 million consumers
- States Covered: Jigawa State, Katsina State, and Kano State
Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) was created in May 2012, when a consortium of 5 other electricity companies which include the Sahelian Energy and Integrated Services Ltd (SEIS), Kayseri ve Civari Electric T.A.S (KCETAS) Turkey, Dantata Investment and Securities Company Ltd, INCAR Power Ltd and Highland Electricity Ltd decided to buy it. These companies joined forces to create the Sahelian Power SPV Ltd, which eventually emerged as the major investor to acquire KEDC. However, the physical take over of the energy distributor did not happen until November 2013.
Although there have been improvements in power supply since KEDCO became a private business, they have also faced many challenges. In 2019, the company was reported to have lost up to N52 billion in revenue irrespective of whether it performed well in other management areas.
8. Eko Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: 25 Marina Road, Lagos Island, Lagos State
- Contact No.: +234 708 065 5555
- Number of Offices: 28 offices offices
- Customer Population: More than 500,000 consumers
- States Covered: Southern part of Lagos State and Agbara in Ogun State
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In February 2013, West Power & Gas acquired 60% of Eko Electricity Distribution Plc while the Federal Government retained 40% ownership. The distribution company covers 3 zones and 10 districts within its licensed area, covering some parts in Lagos State and Agbara in Ogun State.
A few years after the acquisition, EKEDC was commended for improving in its activities, and sometime in 2019, it was rated as the best distribution company in Nigeria. However, along with their success, they have also witnessed many backlashes from customers who continually complain about power shortages in some areas they cover. On several occasions, EKEDC workers have been assaulted in many Lagos parts, which is an indicator that they still have a lot to do to satisfy their teeming customer base.
9. Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Lagos State
- Contact No.: 01-700-0250, 01-227-2940
- Number of Offices: 6 offices
- Customer Population: More than 700,000 consumers
- States Covered: Northern Parts of Lagos and some parts in Ogun State
The Ikeja Distribution company is also one of the 11 distribution companies that emerged during the unbundling of PHNC. As of 2013, when plans for its privatization was in progress, the company was worth $131 million, and the key individuals who pooled their resources to take over the firm were Mr. Tonye Cole (CEO, Sahara Energy Group), Mr. Tope Shonubi (Executive Director, Sahara Energy Group) and Mr. Kola Adesina (Chairman New Electricity Distribution Company & Kore Electric Power Corporation.
The company is known for running 6 business units across their designated area that attend to their clients’ needs. Over the years, they have also gone the extra mile to create accessible ways customers can make their complaints and be pleased to see them resolved. One such is the recent WhatsApp platform that the Ikeja Distribution company has launched to enable customers to reach the firm. More so, the distribution company was the proud winner of the 2018 SERAS Award, where they displayed their unique skills in electric safety standards among customers, contractors, and staff.
10. Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: 1 Moscow Road, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- Contact No.: 0700 2255 7433
- Number of Offices: More than 50 offices
- Customer Population: More than 1 million consumers
- States Covered: Cross River State, Bayelsa State, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers
In November 2013, Port Harcourt Distribution company which had an asset worth $124 million, was acquired by Mr. Augustine Nwokocha (the Chairman, 4Power Consortium). He supported other key persons like the Governors of Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers State. Rivers State’s government even went on to authorize Guarantee Trust Bank to issue guarantees and bonds that helped 4Power Consortium acquire the electricity distribution company.
However, the takeover has not been such a successful one as there have been several complaints regarding power shortage in the areas covered by PHED. Sometime in 2017, the company’s staff even blamed top officials in PHED for charging unnecessary estimated bills without supplying customers electricity. According to Chris Omonei, the chairman of the South-South NUEE, they had to embark on the protest to fight for the masses’ rights. PHED has been issuing estimated bills without meters which were quite unreasonable. Moreso, the company has been refusing load from the national grid for reasons best known to the top officials. Still, it has been detrimental to the poor masses because the masses want electricity. The people cannot be paying for darkness.
In addition to the above, the distribution company has not enjoyed a very cordial relationship with its consumers a the community level. This has inevitably lead to several attacks on the workers at PHED over the years.
11. Yola Electricity Distribution Company
- Address: No. 2, Atiku Abubakar Road, Jimeta-Yola,
Adamawa State - Contact No.: +2340903 885 3326, +234903 885 3342, +234903 885 3308
- Number of Offices: 15 offices
- Customer Population: More than 500,000 consumers
- States Covered: Borno State, Taraba State, Yobe State, and Adamawa State
The Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) is currently owned by Quest Electricity, the company’s sole bidder paid a whopping N19 billion for YEDC. They won the bid and have been able to improve the company’s operational efficiency to an applaudable standard after the takeover. They have created a cordial relationship with customers, which was one reason they held back on the increase of tariffs in 2020 and have been relentless in showing customers tips on saving energy.
However, a major challenge YEDC struggles with is attacks from Boko Haram. This has led to the company losing several offices and earnings to the tune of N150 million monthly.
