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Daniel Adaji
Consumers and advocacy groups have called for an immediate investigation into Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko Disco) following the revelation that Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, received N29m electricity bill for April—nearly 1,000 per cent higher than his March bill of N2.7m.
The Executive Director of the Electricity Consumer Protection Advocacy Centre, Chief Princewill Okorie, said the development highlights a systemic failure across Nigeria’s electricity sector.
“If a deputy governor can be treated with such disregard, what hope is there for ordinary, vulnerable members of the community?” he asked in an interview with Pointblank News.
“This incident could be a positive turning point if it compels the state to investigate how these companies operate. The consumer protection agency is failing. Government oversight is weak. DisCos are breaking the law. And the people must demand better,” Okorie added.
Hamzat had disclosed the inflated billing at a Monday roundtable with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Lagos. “Last month, the bill was N2.7m. This month, Eko DisCo sent us a bill of N29m,” he said. “It’s crazy.”
Despite having purchased a prepaid meter, Hamzat expressed frustration at the delay in converting from estimated to metered billing. “I actually procured a meter but to convert it is wahala,” he said.
The revelation has triggered a wave of public backlash, both offline and on social media, with Nigerians sharing similar grievances under a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter).
“The deputy governor is absolutely right,” @dannyolu posted. “I used to get estimated bills between 50k and 70k until I got my prepaid meter. Now I don’t spend more than 7k. Electricity distribution companies are criminals.”
Others echoed the sentiment, criticizing the inefficiency and opacity in the billing system. “Estimated billing is wrong and outrageous,” said @Ismailaliadi. “I’d rather go solar than continue with that rubbish.”
Some, like @jiduwah, urged caution and transparency.
“How do we know the energy consumption details in the Deputy Governor’s home? We need facts, not assumptions. State governments must enforce metering.”
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recently fined eight distribution companies, including Eko Disco, N628m for overbilling unmetered customers between July and September 2024. The commission mandated credit adjustments to affected customers by May 15, 2025.
Senator Ajibola Bashiru, APC’s National Secretary, weighed in, noting that electricity is costly worldwide.
“We are not a socialist economy. While I understand the deputy governor’s frustration, we must also be realistic about energy costs,” he said on Channels TV.
But Hamzat maintained that the issue goes beyond his personal experience. “Our people are suffering because of estimated billing,” he said, citing the case of a Surulere resident billed N2.8m despite paying just N2m in yearly rent. “How can electricity cost more than rent?”