The Nigerian Senate has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government, urging it to stop what it describes as the “indiscriminate and unjustifiable” funding of electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) with public funds.
The resolution followed a heated debate on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, where lawmakers expressed outrage over the continuous bailout and financial support extended to the privatized electricity firms, despite their persistent failures in service delivery.
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South), who moved the motion, argued that the federal government has pumped over ₦2 trillion into the power sector since the privatization exercise in 2013, with little to no improvement in electricity supply across the country. “The DisCos were sold to private investors with the hope of improved efficiency and customer service, but over a decade later, Nigerians are still living in darkness,” he lamented.
The Senate resolved that the government must immediately cease using taxpayers’ money to sustain private businesses that have failed to meet their performance targets. Several senators backed the motion, describing the situation as “economic sabotage disguised as intervention.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while supporting the resolution, stated: “We cannot continue to enrich a few at the expense of millions of Nigerians. It is time for a full review of the power sector privatization and for accountability to be enforced.”
The lawmakers also called for a comprehensive audit of all funds disbursed to the DisCos since 2013, demanding transparency and a possible restructuring of the sector. “It is unacceptable that Nigerians still pay exorbitant bills for darkness,” said Senator Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central), “yet these companies continue to receive public bailouts as though they are government parastatals.”
The Senate’s resolution is non-binding, but it sends a strong message to the Executive that lawmakers are prepared to scrutinize further interventions in the power sector. The development comes amid rising electricity tariffs and growing public dissatisfaction over erratic supply and estimated billing.
Industry observers say the Senate’s stance could signal a new chapter in the debate over Nigeria’s power sector reform and may influence future funding decisions. Whether the Federal Government will heed the call remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Nigerians continue to grapple with unreliable electricity and rising energy costs, as the call for a more accountable and transparent power sector grows louder.
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