The federal government has disclosed plans to initiate sweeping reforms to revitalise Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector, starting with a pilot overhaul of two underperforming Distribution Companies (DisCos).

A statement by Bolaji Tunji, the media aide to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the move follows a comprehensive assessment of systemic challenges plaguing the DisCos, “including governance gaps, infrastructure deficits, and commercial inefficiencies.”

Adelabu made the disclosure after a meeting with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which presented a roadmap titled, ‘Revamping of the Distribution Sector in Nigeria’.

He said the pilot scheme, slated to commence between May and August 2025, would target one DisCo in the North and another in the South.

“It aims to demonstrate a replicable model for operational turnaround, combining internal restructuring, external expertise, and federal oversight to achieve rapid improvements in service delivery.

“JICA’s proposal emphasises reforming DisCos from within by integrating outside experts, strengthening leadership, and aligning government support with short-term results in pilot zones to lay the groundwork for long-term sector-wide transformation,” he said.

Adelabu stressed the urgency of the intervention, stating: “We can no longer fold our hands and watch the inadequacies of DisCos whose performances fall short of expectations. This pilot is not optional—we will use regulatory authority to restructure underperforming DisCos and compel compliance if necessary.”