Nigeria's DisCos Explained: Which One Covers Your Area?
Nigeria currently has 12 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) licensed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to distribute power to homes and businesses across the country. Each DisCo holds an exclusive franchise territory covering one or more states. The 12th DisCo — Aba Power (ABEDC) — was commissioned in February 2024, serving parts of Abia State. Under Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2023, states are now establishing their own electricity regulators (SERCs), and NERC has begun transferring intrastate regulatory oversight to state-level commissions — a landmark shift that will reshape how DisCos operate going forward. To find your DisCo, match your state or Local Government Area (LGA) to the coverage table below.
⚠️ Regulatory Update (2026): Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2023 has introduced a new layer of state-level electricity regulation. NERC has already transferred regulatory oversight of Lagos to LASERC (December 2024) and Gombe to GOSERC (January 2026). Several other states are establishing their own electricity regulators. DisCos operating in these states are required to create licensed subsidiaries (SubCos) to handle intrastate distribution. The franchise areas remain the same for now — but the regulatory authority over them is changing. Always check with your DisCo or NERC for the latest status.
What Is a DisCo?
A Distribution Company (DisCo) is a licensed electricity utility responsible for the last-mile delivery of power from the national grid to homes, businesses, and industries within a defined geographical franchise area.
In Nigeria, DisCos sit at the tail end of the power value chain:
Generation (GenCos) → Transmission (TCN/NISO) → Distribution (DisCos) → End Consumer
DisCos were originally created through the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), which was unbundled under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) of 2005 and formally transferred to private investors on November 1, 2013. That initial exercise produced 11 successor DisCos. A 12th — Aba Power — was later commissioned in February 2024 under a separate ring-fenced arrangement through the Geometric Power project in Abia State.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) remains the central federal regulator, now operating alongside an evolving network of State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) established under the Electricity Act 2023. NERC retains oversight over inter-state and national grid operations; SERCs take charge of intrastate distribution within their states.
Each DisCo is responsible for:
- Metering customers (prepaid and postpaid)
- Billing and revenue collection
- Maintenance of distribution infrastructure (lines, transformers, injection substations)
- New connection processing and approvals
- Fault response within their franchise territory
Understanding which DisCo covers your area is essential — whether you’re a homeowner seeking a new meter, a developer building an estate, or an engineer sourcing distribution transformers and electrical utility equipment for a project. Your DisCo determines your tariff band, metering timeline, and fault-response obligations.
All 12 DisCos in Nigeria — Full List
As of March 2026, Nigeria has 12 licensed electricity DisCos actively operating. NERC’s monthly performance factsheets — including the most recent December 2025 Commercial Performance Factsheet — report data for all 12.
| # | DisCo Name | Abbreviation | Headquarters | States / Territory Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abuja Electricity Distribution Company | AEDC | Abuja, FCT | FCT, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa |
| 2 | Aba Power (APL Electric Company Ltd) | ABEDC / APLE | Aba, Abia | 9 LGAs in Abia State (ring-fenced) |
| 3 | Benin Electricity Distribution Company | BEDC | Benin City, Edo | Edo, Delta, Ondo, Ekiti (portions) |
| 4 | Eko Electricity Distribution Company | EKEDC | Lagos Island | Lagos (Island/south axis) |
| 5 | Enugu Electricity Distribution Company | EEDC | Enugu | Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, and remaining Abia LGAs |
| 6 | Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company | IBEDC | Ibadan, Oyo | Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, parts of Niger, Ekiti & Kogi |
| 7 | Ikeja Electric | IE | Ikeja, Lagos | Lagos (Mainland/north axis) |
| 8 | Jos Electricity Distribution Company | JED / JEDC | Jos, Plateau | Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Gombe* |
| 9 | Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company | KAEDCO | Kaduna | Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara |
| 10 | Kano Electricity Distribution Company | KEDCO | Kano | Kano, Katsina, Jigawa |
| 11 | Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company | PHEDC / PHED | Port Harcourt, Rivers | Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom |
| 12 | Yola Electricity Distribution Company | YEDC | Yola, Adamawa | Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, Yobe |
*Gombe regulatory update: In January 2026, NERC formally transferred regulatory oversight of Gombe State’s electricity market to the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission (GOSERC). JED has been directed to establish a licensed subsidiary (JED SubCo) for intrastate Gombe operations. Distribution in Gombe continues under JED’s network in the transition period.
Aba Power note: Aba Power (ABEDC) operates a ring-fenced franchise covering 9 of Abia State’s 17 LGAs, centred on the Aba metropolis. The remaining Abia LGAs are served by EEDC. Aba Power was formally commissioned on February 26, 2024, and is Nigeria’s only DisCo to have achieved one full month of uninterrupted electricity supply (December 2024–January 2025).
YEDC note: After the original investor declared force majeure in 2015 citing North-East insecurity, YEDC was re-privatised to Quest Electricity Nigeria Limited (SSPA signed July 2021). Quest now manages YEDC operations.
DisCo Coverage Map by State
Use this alphabetical state-by-state reference to identify your DisCo instantly:
| State | DisCo |
|---|---|
| Abia (Aba metropolis — 9 LGAs) | ABEDC (Aba Power) |
| Abia (remaining 8 LGAs) | EEDC |
| Adamawa | YEDC |
| Akwa Ibom | PHEDC |
| Anambra | EEDC |
| Bauchi | JED |
| Bayelsa | PHEDC |
| Benue | JED |
| Borno | YEDC |
| Cross River | PHEDC |
| Delta | BEDC |
| Ebonyi | EEDC |
| Edo | BEDC |
| Ekiti | BEDC (some areas) / IBEDC (some LGAs) |
| Enugu | EEDC |
| FCT (Abuja) | AEDC |
| Gombe | JED (transitioning to GOSERC oversight) |
| Imo | EEDC |
| Jigawa | KEDCO |
| Kaduna | KAEDCO |
| Kano | KEDCO |
| Katsina | KEDCO |
| Kebbi | KAEDCO |
| Kogi | AEDC / IBEDC (by LGA) |
| Kwara | IBEDC |
| Lagos (Island, Apapa, Lekki, Ojo, Festac, Ijora axis) | EKEDC |
| Lagos (Ikeja, Ikorodu, Shomolu, Abule Egba, Akowonjo, Oshodi axis) | Ikeja Electric (IE) |
| Nasarawa | AEDC |
| Niger | AEDC / IBEDC (by LGA) |
| Ogun | IBEDC |
| Ondo | BEDC |
| Osun | IBEDC |
| Oyo | IBEDC |
| Plateau | JED |
| Rivers | PHEDC |
| Sokoto | KAEDCO |
| Taraba | YEDC |
| Yobe | YEDC |
| Zamfara | KAEDCO |
Important: States marked with two DisCos (Lagos, Ekiti, Kogi, Niger) have split coverage by LGA. Always confirm your specific LGA with your DisCo directly or via NERC’s customer data at nerc.gov.ng.
How to Find Out Which DisCo Covers Your Area
If the table above doesn’t resolve your question — for instance, if you’re in a border LGA, a newly mapped area, or one of the split-coverage states — use one of these methods:
Method 1: Check Your Electricity Bill
Your prepaid meter token receipt or postpaid utility bill carries the DisCo’s name, logo, and account number in the header. This is the fastest and most definitive confirmation.
Method 2: Inspect Your Meter
Every meter installed by a DisCo carries a branded sticker or embossed logo identifying the responsible distribution company.
Method 3: Contact NERC Directly
NERC maintains a consumer information service. Visit nerc.gov.ng or contact the NERC Consumer Affairs division to confirm your franchise territory.
Method 4: Call Your DisCo’s Customer Care Line
- AEDC (Abuja): 0700-2255-2332
- EKEDC (Eko): 01-270-9977
- Ikeja Electric: 01-904-0000
- IBEDC (Ibadan): 0700-000-4233
- PHEDC (Port Harcourt): 084-462-462
- EEDC (Enugu): 042-250-220
- BEDC (Benin): 052-250-680
- JED (Jos): 073-456-9000
- KEDCO (Kano): 064-000-1000
- KAEDCO (Kaduna): 062-000-2000
- YEDC (Yola): 075-623-456
- Aba Power (ABEDC): 082-220-001
Call lines should be verified directly with each DisCo as contact numbers may be updated periodically.
Method 5: Work With a Specialist Electrical Supplier
For developers, estate managers, and engineers who need to confirm their DisCo ahead of transformer procurement, metering approvals, or bulk supply agreements, engaging an experienced electrical equipment partner like Elsan Transformer helps ensure your infrastructure meets your specific DisCo’s technical submission requirements before lodging a connection application.
How to Apply for a New Electricity Connection
Whether you’re connecting a residential property, commercial premises, or an industrial facility, the process broadly follows NERC’s Connection and Disconnection Procedures for Electricity Services regulations across all DisCos.
Step-by-Step Connection Process
Step 1 — Identify Your DisCo Use the coverage table above to confirm which DisCo has franchise over your address.
Step 2 — Prepare Your Documents Standard requirements across most DisCos include:
- Valid government-issued ID (NIN slip, National ID, International Passport, or Driver’s Licence)
- Proof of property ownership or tenancy agreement
- Building plan approval (for new constructions)
- Completed application form (available at DisCo offices or their website)
Step 3 — Submit Your Application Visit the nearest DisCo business district office or apply online through their customer portal. Pay the required application and inspection fee.
Step 4 — Technical Survey A DisCo engineer visits your property to assess load requirement, distance to the nearest feeder, and any civil works needed.
Step 5 — Cost of Connection Quotation The DisCo issues a Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) detailing estimated costs of materials and labour. For large loads or three-phase connections, you may need to procure your own transformer — in which case sourcing from a reliable supplier and reviewing our electrical utilities and DisCos buying guide is strongly advisable before making any procurement decisions.
Step 6 — Payment and Installation After payment, the DisCo schedules installation of your service cable, meter, and associated infrastructure.
Step 7 — Meter Commissioning Your meter is tested, registered on the DisCo’s management system, and officially commissioned. For prepaid meters, you receive your account number and can immediately purchase tokens.
Regulatory Note: Under NERC’s service level standards, DisCos are required to complete standard residential connections within 10 working days of full payment. If your DisCo exceeds this timeline, you can raise a formal complaint with NERC or your State Electricity Regulator (where applicable).
Why Your DisCo Matters for Electrical Infrastructure
Your DisCo’s commercial performance directly affects power quality, supply hours, and infrastructure investment in your area. According to NERC’s December 2025 Commercial Performance Factsheet, Nigeria’s 12 DisCos billed ₦258.66 billion and collected ₦207.49 billion — a collection efficiency of 80.22%. The best performer, Eko DisCo (EKEDC), achieved 91.79% collection efficiency, while Jos DisCo (JED) recorded the lowest at 42.92%. This gap has direct consequences: DisCos with low revenue recovery have less capital to maintain transformers, replace cables, and restore faults promptly.
By December 2025, 6,966,584 customers out of 12,163,412 active electricity customers were metered — a national metering rate of 57.27%, up from just over 50% a year earlier. NERC data identifies Ikeja Electric, Eko DisCo, and AEDC as the three best-performing DisCos on metering, each exceeding 76% coverage.
For businesses and developers, knowing your DisCo’s performance profile matters before committing to infrastructure investment. A DisCo with high aggregate technical and commercial (ATC&C) losses and low collection efficiency may warrant supplementary captive power investment — solar, battery storage, or standby generation — alongside the grid connection.
Projects involving dedicated transformers — estates, hospitals, factories, data centres, and telecom base stations — must follow the DisCo’s bulk supply tariff approval process and submit transformer specifications for technical sign-off. If you’re planning such a project and need support on procurement and DisCo compliance, contact Elsan Transformer’s specialist team for technical guidance.
The World Bank’s Nigeria Power Sector Recovery Program continues to identify distribution infrastructure as a key bottleneck to reliable supply — making informed, proactive engagement with your DisCo, and investment in quality distribution assets, essential for any serious electrical project in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Electricity Sector in 2026: Key Updates
The Electricity Act 2023 — Decentralisation Is Underway
The most significant structural change in Nigeria’s electricity sector is the Electricity Act 2023 (signed by President Tinubu on June 8, 2023), which replaced the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005. The Act empowers Nigerian states to establish their own electricity markets and regulators for intrastate distribution. As of early 2026:
- Lagos State: NERC transferred regulatory oversight to LASERC (Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission) in December 2024. Both Ikeja Electric and Eko DisCo are required to establish licensed subsidiaries (SubCos) for intrastate operations. Transition was targeted for completion by June 2025, though implementation continues.
- Gombe State: NERC transferred oversight to GOSERC in January 2026. JED Plc has been directed to establish a JED SubCo for Gombe intrastate distribution, with full transition expected by July 2026.
- Multiple other states — including Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, and others — have enacted state electricity acts and are at various stages of establishing their own regulators.
This is a landmark reform. For consumers, it means electricity complaints and regulation in some states will be handled by state-level bodies rather than the federal NERC. For investors and developers, it means dual licensing requirements in transitioning states should be understood before committing to major electrical infrastructure projects.
NERC MAP Meter Refund Order (February 2026)
NERC issued Order No. NERC/2026/025 on February 27, 2026, directing DisCos to refund a total of ₦20.33 billion to customers who paid upfront for meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme but had not yet been fully reimbursed through energy credits. DisCos have 12 months from March 1, 2026 to disburse the outstanding amount.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many DisCos are there in Nigeria in 2026?
There are 12 licensed electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in Nigeria as of 2026. The original 2013 privatisation created 11 DisCos from the defunct PHCN. A 12th — Aba Power (ABEDC) — was commissioned in February 2024, serving the Aba ring-fenced franchise area in Abia State. NERC’s December 2025 factsheet reports performance data for all 12.
Which DisCo covers Lagos?
Lagos is split between two DisCos: Ikeja Electric (IE) covers the mainland and northern Lagos (Ikeja, Ikorodu, Shomolu, Akowonjo, Oshodi, Abule Egba), while Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) covers Lagos Island, Victoria Island, Lekki, Apapa, Festac, Ojo, and the southern axis. Under the Electricity Act 2023, both are now regulated intrastate by LASERC (Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission) while NERC retains oversight of interstate activities.
What does AEDC stand for?
AEDC stands for Abuja Electricity Distribution Company. It covers the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger State, Nasarawa State, and Kogi State across a franchise area of approximately 133,000 km².
What is the difference between EKEDC and Ikeja Electric?
Both are Lagos-based DisCos but serve different geographical zones. EKEDC (Eko DisCo) covers the Island and southern Lagos, while Ikeja Electric covers the mainland and northern Lagos. They are separate corporate entities with different ownership and management structures. Both operate under LASERC oversight for intrastate matters as of December 2024.
What is PHEDC?
PHEDC stands for Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company. It serves Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states in the South-South geopolitical zone.
What happened to Yola DisCo (YEDC)?
Yola DisCo was privatised in 2013 but the original investor declared force majeure in 2015 citing insecurity in the North-East. The Federal Government repossessed it and managed it under BPE oversight until it was successfully re-privatised to Quest Electricity Nigeria Limited — with the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement signed in July 2021. Quest Electricity now operates YEDC.
What is Aba Power and which areas does it cover?
Aba Power (ABEDC / APLE — APL Electric Company Limited) is Nigeria’s newest and 12th DisCo. It was commissioned on February 26, 2024 and serves a ring-fenced franchise covering 9 of 17 LGAs in Abia State, centred on the Aba metropolis, powered by the 188MW Geometric Power Plant. It became the first DisCo in Nigeria’s history to supply uninterrupted electricity for a full month (December 2024 to January 2025).
How do I report a fault to my DisCo?
Call your DisCo’s dedicated fault-reporting line (listed in the section above) or visit their nearest business district office. NERC mandates that DisCos acknowledge fault reports promptly and restore supply within defined timeframes depending on fault category and service band.
Can I switch DisCos if I’m unhappy with service?
No. DisCos hold exclusive geographical franchise licences. You cannot switch — your DisCo is determined entirely by your property’s physical location. However, you can escalate persistent service failures to NERC at nerc.gov.ng or, where applicable, to your State Electricity Regulator (SERC).
What is the Electricity Act 2023 and how does it affect me as a consumer?
The Electricity Act 2023 (which replaced the EPSRA 2005) allows Nigerian states to take control of intrastate electricity distribution and set up their own regulators. In states where a SERC has been established (like Lagos and Gombe), consumer complaints and tariff regulation will increasingly be handled at the state level rather than by the federal NERC. It also facilitates more private sector participation in generation and mini-grid development.
Summary
Nigeria now has 12 licensed electricity DisCos — not 10 or 11 — covering all 36 states and the FCT. Each DisCo holds an exclusive franchise territory assigned by NERC (and increasingly, State Electricity Regulators under the Electricity Act 2023). The 12th DisCo, Aba Power, was commissioned in February 2024 in Abia State. YEDC (Yola) is now operated by Quest Electricity Nigeria Limited following re-privatisation in 2021.
The key DisCos and their territories: AEDC (Abuja/North-Central), Ikeja Electric and EKEDC (Lagos), IBEDC (South-West), EEDC (South-East), EEDC + Aba Power (Abia), PHEDC (South-South), BEDC (Mid-South), KEDCO (Kano/North-West), KAEDCO (Kaduna/North-West), JED (North-Central plateau), and YEDC (North-East).
For new connections, meter requests, or fault reporting, always engage your DisCo directly. For technical infrastructure needs, transformer procurement, or DisCo compliance guidance, explore Elsan Transformer’s electrical utility solutions.
This article was researched and verified in March 2026 using NERC official data, Nairametrics, Punch Newspapers, Vanguard, and primary DisCo sources. DisCo franchise boundaries, tariff structures, and regulatory oversight are subject to change under the Electricity Act 2023. Always verify current details directly with your DisCo or at nerc.gov.ng.
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