Nigerian Electricity distribution companies, commonly called DisCos, are the final link between power generation and the Nigerian consumer.
These firms hold the responsibility for metering, billing, infrastructure maintenance, and responding to outages.
For most Nigerians, electricity reliability is more than a convenience; it determines whether businesses thrive or shut down.
The efficiency of each DisCo directly affects productivity, cost of living, and even security.
According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigeria has a total of 13,339,635 registered electricity customers across the twelve (12) DisCos, out of which 7,182,909 are yet to be metered. This represents 53.85% of electricity customers across the country.
Since the privatization of electricity distribution companies in 2013, the 11 licensed DisCos, with one more added recently to make a total of 12 in Nigeria, have been tasked with improving power supply and expanding access to prepaid meters. However, performance has varied widely, with a few players accounting for the largest share of connected customers across the country.
This article examines the chief executives leading Nigeria’s top ten electricity distribution companies (DisCos) by registered customer numbers as of the first quarter of 2025. The executives are responsible for keeping the lights on for millions of homes and businesses across the country.
Here are the CEO’s of the 12 DisCos ranked by registered customer numbers
Engr. Jonathan Lawani is the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC Electricity Plc), serving over 1.46 million registered customers across Delta, Edo, Ekiti, and Ondo States as of the Q1 2025.
Lawani is an electrical power engineer with extensive experience in energy infrastructure, project execution, and performance improvement across the power, oil and gas, and public sectors.
He holds a B.Eng. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Benin, a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Auchi Polytechnic, an M.Sc. in Power Systems and Energy Management from City University, London, and an MBA in Project Management from Universidad Católica de Murcia, Spain.
Before his appointment as Acting MD, he served at Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), where he rose from Technical Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer to head of the Technical Projects Group. He oversaw more than $50 million worth of network upgrades and substation projects that improved grid reliability and power evacuation.
He began his career with the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) during his National Youth Service, working on major field projects such as the Agbara Phase 2 (OML 116) shutdown. He later held technical and business development roles at Sea Petroleum and Gas Ltd. and LATEEJAY Nigeria Ltd.
Lawani also served as Commissioner for Environment in Edo State, where he contributed to environmental and watershed management policies.
