The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed that international electricity customers, including Benin, Togo, and Niger Republic, owe Nigeria over N13 billion for power supplied through the national grid.
The debt, which has accumulated over several months, stems from electricity exported to these neighbouring countries under bilateral agreements managed by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
According to industry sources, Benin Republic tops the list of defaulters, followed by Togo and Niger. The outstanding payments threaten the liquidity of Nigeria’s power sector, which already struggles with generation and distribution challenges.
NERC officials have expressed frustration over the growing debt, warning that continued non-payment could affect the sustainability of power exports. “Benin, Togo, Niger owe Nigeria over N13bn electricity debt, and this is no longer sustainable. We are engaging diplomatic channels to resolve the matter,” a senior official stated privately.
The federal government has previously signed power purchase agreements with these countries as part of the West African Power Pool initiative. However, enforcement of payment terms has remained weak, leaving Nigerian taxpayers to bear the burden.
Energy analysts are calling for stricter contractual penalties or a temporary halt to exports until outstanding debts are settled. They argue that the electricity could be deployed locally to improve supply to underserved Nigerian communities.
As of press time, the regulatory authorities of the indebted nations had not issued an official response.
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