Residents of Abuja Face Extortion and Bureaucratic Hurdles to Connect to the Electricity Grid
Residents of Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, are facing a growing crisis as they struggle to connect their homes to the electricity grid. The process, which should be straightforward, has become a source of frustration due to widespread extortion and unclear procedures. Many residents have reported being asked to pay unexpected fees for services that are supposed to be free.
Felix Dauda, a 40-year-old resident, experienced this firsthand when he tried to get his home connected to the electricity grid. For three months, he encountered obstacles at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) office in Orozo. Officials there demanded N25,000 for a single-page form, claiming it was necessary for the connection process. When he questioned the cost, he was told that the company did not provide printing machines or paper for the forms.
However, Mr. Dauda later discovered that the same form was available for free on the AEDC website. After printing it and returning to the office, the officials changed the fee’s name, asking him to pay N25,000 under a different title, citing transport and administrative costs.
This experience is not unique. PREMIUM TIMES conducted interviews with several residents who shared similar stories of extortion and confusion. Many reported being asked to pay additional fees for services such as the Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) registration, despite the fact that LECAN is not officially required by the AEDC.
The Process vs. Reality
According to the AEDC, the process of connecting a new home to the electricity grid involves completing a free Supply and Agreement form, which can be downloaded from the company’s website or obtained at any of its offices. Once the form is submitted, AEDC officials conduct a site verification and generate a contract number and payment notification for the meter. The meter is then purchased through the Nigerian government’s Meter Asset Provider (MAP) initiative.
The MAP initiative allows third-party vendors to provide meters to consumers at a cost that will be refunded over time. However, many residents interviewed by this newspaper found the process alien and confusing. In addition to the initial form fee, which was supposed to be free, some residents were also asked to pay the LECAN registration fee.
Tunde Seilman and Ruth Ajuwon in Katampe said they each paid N10,000 for the LECAN fee, while Mr. Dauda paid N5,000. According to LECAN’s website, the association is not required to apply for a meter or the NEMSA certificate.
Despite these claims, AEDC spokesperson Kenechukwu Ofili stated that the company does not charge customers for LECAN fees. He emphasized that the requirements for getting connected, including the forms and their processing, are free.
A System in Crisis
Mr. Dauda’s ordeal is not an isolated case. More frustration and distrust have emerged among residents who feel that the system is designed to extract money rather than provide essential services.
One Thursday morning, our reporter visited the AEDC Orozo office alongside Mr. Dauda. What unfolded was a brazen attempt at extortion by AEDC officials. Even after completing the application, one staff member insisted that they pay LECAN N5,000 and another N20,000, which she claimed would cover her transport and settle her boss and the people who would sign and generate the account.
“The money is compulsory,” the staff member said. “They said it is free (referring to the company policy), but if you don’t do their thing here, the people at Jikwoyi will just drop your file.”
After some negotiation, she agreed to collect a total of N20,000 instead of N25,000. She said the N20,000 would cover LECAN and the settlement.
The Broader Implications
For Mr. Seilman, a homeowner in Katampe, getting connected and obtaining meters took two years of extortion and frustration. He was extorted by a staffer at the AEDC in 2022, who told him the government was about to distribute new prepaid meters to Nigerians. He paid N122,500 for two months of payments before being told the initiative wasn’t genuine.
Ruth Ajuwon, a resident of Kubwa, gave up on the process after being asked to pay several charges without knowing what they were for. She eventually switched to solar energy.
These experiences reflect a broader issue in Nigeria’s energy sector, where frequent grid collapses and bureaucratic hurdles have led to widespread distrust. The National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), launched in 2020, aims to increase metering rates and reduce billing gaps. However, the program has yet to deliver on its promises.
The Way Forward
When contacted, Mr. Ofili said the AEDC is exploring a new method in which customers will be able to download the form from its website, fill it out, and submit it online without visiting any offices. He added that the company is willing to look into the matter and ensure customers are treated fairly.
However, for many residents, the current system remains broken. With 39% of Nigerians lacking access to electricity, the need for reform is urgent. Until then, many will continue to rely on generators and solar energy, despite the high costs.
