General
SERAP Tackles World Bank over $500m for Electricity in Nigeria
By Adedapo Adesanya
In its latest round of seeking accountability, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the World Bank President, Mr David Malpass, to publish details of electricity projects funded by the lender in Nigeria since 1999.
According to an application dated February 6, 2021, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called for the release of archival records and documents relating to spending on all approved funds to improve access to electricity in Nigeria between 1999 and 2020.
It demanded to know the bank’s role in the implementation of any funded electricity projects and to identify and name any executed projects, and Nigerian officials, ministries, departments and agencies involved in the execution of such projects.
This is coming after the World Bank board of directors last week approved $500 million to help boost access to electricity in Nigeria and improve the performance of the electricity distribution companies in the country.
SERAP urged the bank to “explain the rationale for the approval of $500 million to implement electricity projects in the country, despite reports of widespread and systemic corruption in the sector, and the failure of the authorities to enforce a court judgment ordering the release of details of payments to allegedly corrupt electricity contractors who failed to execute any projects.”
SERAP said: “This application is brought pursuant to the World Bank’s Access to Information Policy, which aims to maximize access to information and promote the public good.
“There is a public interest in Nigerians knowing about the bank’s supervisory role and specifically its involvement in the implementation of electricity projects, which it has so far funded.”
According to SERAP, the $500 million is part of the over $1 billion available to Nigeria under the project titled Nigeria Distribution Sector Recovery Program.
“We would be grateful for details of any transparency and accountability mechanisms under the agreement for the release of funds, including whether there is any provision that would allow Nigerians and civil society to monitor the spending of the money by the government, its agencies, and electricity distribution companies,” it said.
SERAP noted that should the Bretton Wood Institution fail and/or refuse to release the information and documents as requested, it would file an appeal to the Secretariat of the Bank’s Access to Information Committee to challenge any such decision, and if it becomes necessary, to the Access to Information Appeals Board.
SERAP added that it may also consider other legal options outside the bank’s Access to Information framework.
The letter copied to Mr Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, read in part: “SERAP believes that releasing the information and documents would enable Nigerians and civil society to meaningfully engage in the implementation of electricity projects funded by the Bank, contribute to the greater public good, and enhance the Bank’s oft-stated commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The World Bank has been and continues to be involved in overseeing the transfer, disbursement, spending of funds on electricity projects in Nigeria. The Bank also reportedly approved a $750 million loan for Nigeria’s electricity sector in June 2020 to cut tariff shortfalls, protect the poor from price adjustments, and increase power supply to the grid. As such, the World Bank is not a neutral party in this matter.
“SERAP is seriously concerned that the funds approved by the Bank are vulnerable to corruption and mismanagement. The World Bank has a responsibility to ensure that the Nigerian authorities and their agencies are transparent and accountable to Nigerians in how they spend the approved funds for electricity projects in the country, and to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.
“SERAP also believes that the release of the requested information and documents is of paramount importance to the public interest in preserving the legitimacy, credibility, and relevance of the Bank as a leading international development institution. The Bank ought to lead by example in issues such as transparency and public disclosure raised in this request.
“It would also demonstrate that the Bank is willing to put people first in the implementation of its development and governance policies and mandates, as well as remove any suspicion of the Bank’s complicity in the alleged mismanagement of electricity projects-related funds.
“The information is also being sought to improve the ongoing fight against corruption in the country and the provision of regular and uninterrupted electricity supply to Nigerians as a fundamental human right.
“The information requested is not affected by the “deliberative” “corporate administrative matters” or “security and safety” exceptions under the Policy. The information requested is crucially required for Nigerians to know how the funds released to the authorities to improve electricity supply in the country have been spent, and monitor how the funds are being used.
It contended that it was necessary to do this as the country had not benefit as it should from the financing, it cited its report titled: From Darkness to Darkness: How Nigerians are paying the price for Corruption in the Electricity Sector which documents widespread and systemic corruption in the electricity sector, and reveals how about N11 trillion electricity fund was squandered by successive administrations in Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999.
“This report raises specific questions of public interest, and the World Bank ought to be concerned about how Nigerian authorities are addressing reports of widespread and systemic corruption in the electricity sector, and to seek some answers from the authorities on the problems.
“However, as the report shows, the Bank’s funding of the electricity sector has not resulted in corresponding access of Nigerians to the regular and uninterrupted electricity supply. Successive governments have failed to provide access to regular and reliable electricity supply to millions of the citizens despite budgeting trillions of naira for the power sector.
“Millions of Nigerians still lack access to free pre-paid meters. Authorities continue to use patently illegal and inordinate estimated billing across the country, increasing consumer costs, and marginalizing Nigerians living in extreme poverty, disproportionately affecting women, children and the elderly.”
It reiterated that the World Bank leadership has to disclose information on agreements and the mechanisms the bank is putting in place to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of all funds on electricity projects in Nigeria.
By Bon Peters
Over N77 billion was generated as revenue in April 2026 by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 11 Command in Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
This landmark feat in the command’s fiscal operations signals a new era of economic prosperity and administrative efficiency.
The revenue generated last month was 70.2 per cent higher than the amount collected in the same month of last year, according to a statement issued by the command’s acting spokesman, Mr Paul Istifanus Gimba, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs I.
This feat was attributed to the strategic and visionary leadership of the command’s area controller, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali.
On innovation, the command has integrated modern technologies and cutting-edge logistics management, consolidating and strengthening existing protocols and building upon previous successes to create a sustainable economic environment.
The statement emphasised that, “By embracing these principles, the Area 11 Command has transformed into a critical hub for national revenue optimisation, ensuring that the federal government’s fiscal goals are not only met but consistently surpassed.”
It added that the core pillars of success under Comptroller Alkali, since assuming leadership, were the implementation of a rigorous operational strategy designed to maximise the command’s potential and commitment centred on core areas of Simplification and Trade Facilitation.
The statement further posited that in an effort to foster a business-friendly environment, the command has focused heavily on the simplification of procedures by identifying and removing bureaucratic bottlenecks, noting that the Command has significantly reduced delays in cargo clearance, insisting that such a streamlined approach has not only benefited importers and exporters but also accelerated the “ease of doing business” within the maritime sector.
On performance and target optimisation, the command has moved beyond mere compliance to a culture of excellence and by building on past successes, the administration has ensured that revenue targets were viewed as minimum benchmarks rather than ultimate goals.
It also stated that behind the record-breaking revenue generation lies a workforce characterised by dedication and professionalism, as Comptroller Alkali lauded the officers and men of the command for their commitment to duty, even as the Onne Customs boss emphasised that the achievement of April 2026 was a collective victory, made possible by the integrity and discipline of the personnel stationed at Onne.
He stated that their ability to balance security concerns with the need for rapid trade facilitation remained the cornerstone of the command’s operational philosophy.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Latest data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) showed that Nigeria’s electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) recorded an N80.49 billion collection shortfall in February 2026.
According to NERC’s February factsheet on DisCos’ commercial performance, the 11 companies received N277.09 billion worth of electricity from the national grid.
The total energy received by the energy distribution firms increased by 17.64 per cent from January’s N235.53 billion. However, the DisCos billed customers N242.29 billion and collected only N196.68 billion.
This reflected a collection efficiency of 81.17 per cent and a billing efficiency of 87.44 per cent. Average recovery efficiency across all DisCos was 80.67 per cent.
The report also detailed a reduction in government subsidies to N24.03 per unit from N38.33 in January, indicating a N14.30 drop, so customers paid an average of N100.27 per unit against an allowed tariff of N124.30.
The commission further highlighted gains in tariff realisation, stating that “the actual average collection per kilowatt-hour increased to N100.27, representing a 16.64 per cent improvement compared to January 2026.”
This, it said, pushed recovery performance upward, noting that “overall revenue recovery efficiency rose to 80.67 per cent, an increase of 11.51 percentage points month-on-month.”
Providing a breakdown across utilities, the Commission stated that “Eko, Kano, and Abuja DisCos recorded the highest billing efficiencies at 97.20 per cent, 99.04 per cent, and 93.70 per cent, respectively.”
Conversely, it noted that “Yola and Kaduna DisCos recorded the lowest billing efficiencies at 66.09 per cent and 72.46 per cent respectively.”
On collections, the report said “Eko DisCo led with 94.12 per cent collection efficiency, followed by Abuja at 89.28 per cent,” while “Kaduna DisCo recorded the lowest collection efficiency at 49.27 per cent.”
In terms of cost recovery, the commission disclosed that “Eko DisCo achieved a recovery efficiency of 100.67 per cent, exceeding the allowed tariff benchmark,” while “Kaduna DisCo recorded the weakest recovery performance at 41.20 per cent.”
An analysis of the figures shows that compared to January, energy received rose by N41.56 billion (17.64 per cent), Billings fell by N25.79 billion (9.66 per cent), and Collections declined by N8.09 billion (3.94 per cent).
This indicates that although DisCos are becoming more efficient operationally, the sector is still grappling with weak demand, collection losses, and customer liquidity constraints.
The commission also disclosed that “reduced ATC&C loss targets averaging 16.64 per cent have been approved for 2026 to reflect the expected impact of DisCo investments made in 2025.”
It added that the February performance “demonstrates gradual improvements in commercial efficiency, though significant gaps remain in revenue realisation across the industry.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A group known as Naija Lives Matter (NLM), established by Mr Ope Banwo, has expressed optimism that the Ogun State government will obey the judgment of Justice Abiodun Adeyemi of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta on the release of the full details of a 45-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP).
NLM had approached the court under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, to compel the state government under Governor Dapo Abiodun to release details of the Remo Economic Industrial Cluster project in Sagamu.
The organisation, through Mr Yemi Salman, filed the suit after the state government refused to provide key details of the project.
While delivering the judgment, Justice Adeyemi ordered the Ogun State Government and its key ministries to release critical documents and information relating to the agreement to NLM and Mr Banwo.
Reacting to this, the founder of the group said, “This is about the right of the people to know how a long-term agreement involving public resources was structured.
“We believe the Governor has an opportunity to demonstrate that, despite all the drama about him, he still respects the rule of law by choosing transparency over secrecy; accountability over avoidance; and respect for the rule of law over resistance, because at this point, disobedience of a lawful court order is not just a legal issue—it is a public accountability issue.
“And we at Naija Lives Matter are hopeful that Governor Dapo Abiodun will not add disregard for judicial authority to the list of questions already before the people of Ogun State. We expect all documents regarding the Ogun State–ARISE IIP project within 14 days, as ordered by the court.
“We hope other organisations fighting for transparency and accountability from our governments will be encouraged by this bold ruling to keep up the fight for justice in our nation.”
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