Eko DisCo to downgrade several areas from Band A as power generation tanks

Many residents in Lagos are experiencing reduced electricity hours after the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) moved several areas from Band A to lower service bands due to a nationwide decrease in power generation.

As such, the utility company said that certain areas will witness reduced power supply. The affected places include Ajegunle, FESTAC, Ajah, Agbara, Mushin, Apapa, and parts of Yaba. These locations used to be in Band A, which provided the best service, but they have now been moved to Band B, C, or E, meaning they will receive less electricity each day.

The downgrade comes with a warning from the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) that limited gas supplies have reduced electricity generation to the national grid. This reduction has led to power cuts across its network in Lagos, causing occasional outages for residents and businesses.

When Band A no longer means steady power

Nigeria’s electricity system depends heavily on gas-fired power plants, making gas supply disruptions one of the fastest ways to destabilise the grid. When gas volumes drop, power stations generate less electricity, leaving distribution companies with less energy to share across their feeders.

Also read: Power companies in Togo, Niger and Benin Republic owe Nigeria $8.5 million- NERC

Service bands are meant to reflect this reality. Customers are billed based on how many hours of electricity they are expected to receive, with Band A users paying the most because they are guaranteed longer supply windows. Once feeders are downgraded, it signals that those areas can no longer be reliably served at those levels.

In theory, a downgrade should also mean lower tariffs. In practice, however, customers often complain that billing adjustments lag behind service changes, leaving them paying premium rates while experiencing extended outages. The latest downgrade by the EKEDC has revived those concerns, especially in areas that had only recently moved into Band A.

Frustration grows as outages stretch on

Residents in affected communities are sharing their frustration on social media. Many report being without electricity for days. Others criticise the slow communication from power companies and wonder why outages on the mainland often last longer than those on Lagos Island.

Power cuts cause more than just inconvenience; they also have economic effects. Small businesses rely on electricity to operate daily. Frequent blackouts force them to use generators more often, which raises fuel costs in an already struggling economy. For households, unstable power interrupts work-from-home routines, education, and basic daily tasks.

EKEDC said it is collaborating with stakeholders to address the gas supply issues and restore stability to the grid. However, no timeline has been provided. Until power generation improves, more feeders may continue to operate at reduced levels, prolonging the cycle of limited supply and increasing public frustration throughout Lagos.

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