Nigeria exported electricity worth N181.62 billion to neighbouring countries—Togo, Benin, and Niger Republic—from January to September 2024, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
A closer look at the figures shows that N58.65 billion worth of electricity was exported in the first quarter, N63.28 billion in the second quarter, and N59.69 billion in the third quarter.
This significant export volume comes despite persistent power shortages at home and a directive from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in May to limit electricity exports to just six percent of total grid power. The restriction aimed to prioritize domestic electricity supply.
The NERC’s directive, issued on April 29, 2024, and effective from May 1, was titled “Interim Order on Transmission System Dispatch Operations, Cross-border Supply and Related Matters.” Signed by NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba and Vice Chairman Musiliu Oseni, the order was set to last for six months, with a possible review.
NERC criticized the system operator’s practice of prioritizing exports and certain private customers over local electricity distribution. The commission noted that this approach disrupted the ability of Distribution Companies (Discos) to provide reliable services under the Service-Based Tariff (SBT) framework, causing undue hardship for Nigerian customers during peak demand periods.
The commission highlighted inefficiencies in the agreements between Generation Companies (Gencos) and international or bilateral customers. Many of these contracts reportedly failed to meet minimum industry standards, further complicating the fair distribution of electricity within the country.
Despite these challenges, Nigeria’s electricity exports remain significant, raising questions about balancing international commitments with the urgent need to address domestic power shortages.
