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
Mr. Ete Pinnick is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), which serves over 1.17 million registered customers across Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states.
According to data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), PHED recorded total billings of N62.01 billion in the first quarter of 2025, with revenue collections of N37.63 billion, reflecting a collection efficiency of 60.68%.
Pinnick joined PHED with extensive experience in supply chain management and operational leadership. He previously served as Senior Supply Chain Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Mondelēz International, where he oversaw integrated regional supply chain operations across multiple countries. He also held senior leadership roles at Unilever Nigeria Plc, including Global Supply Chain Director and Executive Director on the company’s board, contributing to regional supply chain strategy and efficiency improvements.
He began his career in the manufacturing sector and has built a track record of driving team engagement, operational transformation, and performance optimization across industries. Pinnick combines technical expertise in engineering with strategic insight, leveraging data-driven approaches to improve operational outcomes.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos and is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Institute of Directors. Pinnick is recognized for his focus on transparency, sustainability, and innovation, as well as his commitment to building talent and fostering organizational culture.
