News
FG May Pay ‘Failed Investors’ N736Bn to Repossess Discos
Federal government is considering repossession of 10 electricity distribution firms as one of the options to rescue the nation’s beleaguered electricity industry.
According to the Punch, this is coming ahead of the scheduled final performance review of the private firms that bought into the distribution companies carved out from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
However, document available to one of our correspondents shows that the Federal Government would require up to $2.4bn (N736bn) to repossess the privatised distribution assets from the core investors if it finally takes the decision.
Giving clue that it could recover the assets from the core investors, the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in a document sighted by one of our correspondents has described the co-owners of the distribution companies as ‘failed investors.’
The distribution and generation companies carved out of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria were handed over to private investors on November 1, 2013, following the privatisation of the power sector by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, which is responsible for electricity transmission, is still fully owned and operated by the government.
The PUNCH had on Friday reported that 17 of the nation’s 27 power stations had been forced to shut down some of their units on the back of low demand by Discos, worsening the blackout being experienced by millions of customers across the country.
11 Discos declared technically insolvent
Total power generation dropped to 3,264.4 megawatts as of 6am on Monday, August 12 from 3,580.5MW on Sunday. It stood at 2,842.1MW as of 6am last Thursday.
Five and a half years after privatisation, the 11 Discos have been described as ‘technically insolvent.’
The ministry, in its new ‘Power Sector Policy Directives and Timelines,’ said there was an urgent need to recapitalise the Discos.
It described the inability of the Discos to improve customer service and meet operational costs as a direct consequence of their inability to raise capital.
The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said in October 2018 that the five-year performance agreement with the core investors in the Discos, with the exception of Kaduna Disco, became effective on January 1, 2015 and the fifth anniversary for final performance review would therefore be December 31, 2019.
The ministry said the Discos’ accumulated debts to the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc and the Market Operator had made them technically insolvent.
On the option of repossessing the distribution assets, it said, “To do so within the provisions of the Share Sale Agreement will require a sum in the region of $2.4bn, some of which will be paid as compensation to the failed investors. This is not a desirable outcome. It is noteworthy that government is yet to pay the investor in Yola Disco for its negotiated return to government.”
On July 2015, the Federal Government took over Yola Electricity Distribution Company following the exit of the core investor after it declared a force majeure, citing insecurity in the North-East geopolitical zone of the country.
While highlighting the reasons for the inability of the Discos to raise the capital required, the ministry said new lenders would require additional equity injection.
“But any new equity investor would require clarity about how the accumulated debts would be treated, and what support, possibly in the form of subsidy, regulatory assets and or higher tariff, would be available to manage new operating shortfalls during a transition period,” it added.
Review power sale but don’t politicise exercise —ECAN
Mr Chijioke James, president, Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN), told Punch correspondent in a telephone interview that there was a need to revive the power sector.
He said, “It is a welcome development that by December, there will be a review to know how the core investors who took over the power assets have performed. It is based on that feedback mechanism that the government can make an informed decision, which should not be political because the power sector is a very strategic sector for the economy of our country.
“Therefore, in taking any decision, they should have the overall national interest at heart, and not make the same mistakes made in the past. We will love to see a situation where things are done based on merit.
“The Discos that are doing well should be supported and encouraged to do more; those who have failed should be shown the way out.”
Cancelling Discos sale’ll come with contigent liability —TCN MD
Although Mr Usman Mohammed, managing director of TCN, had consistently called for recapitalisation of the distribution companies, he said that cancelling the sale of the Discos was not in the best interest of the nation.
Mohammed had stressed the need for the recapitalisation of the Discos, saying the transmission company would support any initiative aimed at expanding the distribution network.
He said in an interview, “If you implemented right things wrongly, you should right the wrong instead of cancelling it. Because when you cancel it, you get it wrong completely. What we need is to correct it, and recapitalisation can correct it.
“If we cancel the privatisation, we are going to have a contingent liability and we will send a signal to the whole world that Nigeria is not private sector-friendly.
“Secondly, does government have sustainable money to invest in the power sector? No. When you cancel, you will return the money of the investors and you are going to pay them 20 per cent for five years.”
Speaking at the opening of the 23rd Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja on October 10, 2017, the Chairman of Heirs Holding, Mr Tony Elemelu, had asked the government to dilute the shares of the private investors in the power companies.
Elumelu, a major shareholder in Transcorp Power Consortium, advised the government to invest more in the privatised power firms to wrest them from current operators.
Subsequently, he said, the government could give the Discos to investors who have the resource to run the distribution companies.
Although the government acknowledged at a point that it was considering this option, no concrete action had been seen along this line.
In March, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, called on the Federal Government to revisit the privatisation of the sector.
He accused the People’s Democratic Party administration of sharing out the power assets to friends and cronies without very deep and thoughtful research and evaluation.
Acting on behalf of the Federal Government, the BPE had in its power sector reform programme overseen the sale of 15 power companies — 10 distribution companies and five generation companies — in 2013.
While $1.26bn was realised from the sale of the 10 distribution companies, $1.06bn was realised from the sale of the five generation companies.
The successful opening of financial bids for 15 successor companies towards the end of 2012 opened the gates for the financial inflows into the country in terms of privatisation proceeds.
For Abuja Distribution Company, Kann Consortium emerged as the preferred bidder; for Benin Disco, Vigeo Power Consortium and for Eko Disco, West Power and Gas.
For Enugu Disco, Interstate Electrics Limited emerged while for Ibadan Disco, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited had emerged.
EDC/KEPCO Consortium emerged the preferred bidder for Ikeja Disco; Aura Energy Limited for Jos Disco; Sahelian Power Limited for Kano Disco; 4Power Consortium for Port Harcourt Disco; while Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited emerged for Yola Disco.
For the power generation companies, North-South Power Limited emerged for Shiroro Hydro Power Plc; Mainstream Energy Solutions emerged for Kainji Hydro Power Plc.
CMEC/EURAFRIC Energy Limited emerged for Sapele Power Plc; Amperion Power Distribution Limited emerged for Geregu Power Plc; while the Transcorp Consortium emerged for Ughelli Power Plc:
Two consortia also later emerged preferred bidders for the last of the two successor electricity companies from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria — Afam Power Plc and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company.
With a bid of $260.05m, Taleveras beat TES Power to emerge the preferred bidder for Afam Power Plc, the last of the generating companies carved out from the defunct PHCN.
Similarly, Northwest Power Limited emerged the preferred bidder for Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, the only remaining of the 11 distribution companies carved out from PHCN.
However, the sale of Afam to Televeras later felled apart.
Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has said that Federal Government is intensifying its use of digital-economy initiatives to curb corruption among young Nigerians.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day held on Tuesday in Abuja, the AGF said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deliberately positioned technology, innovation training, and digital-skills development at the heart of its anti-corruption strategy for young people.
The event, organized by Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR) domiciled at the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) had the theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”.
Fagbemi, who delivered the keynote address, said the government believes that empowered, skilled and economically engaged youths are less vulnerable to corrupt influences.
According to him, programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talents Programme (3MTT) and the recently launched Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) are already equipping millions of young Nigerians with ICT and digital-innovation skills, reducing their dependence on patronage systems that fuel corrupt practices.
“A hopeful youth is harder to corrupt; an engaged youth is harder to mislead; and an empowered youth is a powerful force for national transformation,” Fagbemi said.
He explained that by investing in digital literacy, tech entrepreneurship and innovation-driven training, the Tinubu administration aims to create a generation of young Nigerians who are globally competitive and resistant to corruption.
Beyond digital skills, the AGF pointed at several government efforts to expand educational access through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and support youth entrepreneurship via the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) and the iDICE programme, providing funding, training and mentorship for young innovators in tech, entertainment, agriculture and design.
Fagbemi added that the inclusion of young people in governance, through appointments and expanded civic-engagement platforms, was another strategic tool to strengthen integrity and transparency in public life.
He urged stakeholders to deepen efforts to integrate anti-corruption values into school curricula, establish integrity clubs, mentor young leaders, and leverage ICT tools to promote transparency, whistleblowing and public accountability.
Earlier, the Head of TUGAR, Mrs Jane Onwumere said the gathering was especially meaningful because it reflected a shared truth: that tomorrow’s integrity rests significantly in the hands of the youth.
“The theme therefore, is not just a slogan but a call to action and a reminder that young people are not only beneficiaries of good governance, they are co-architects of it.
“Corruption has affected lives and the economy negatively in many ways. One of such is the “japa wave” which has seen young Nigerians leave the country in droves in search of greener pastures. This syndrome has drained the country of resources and human capital. It has in many situations split the family unit, a critical foundation for anti-corruption efforts”, Onwumere, added.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar expressed the agency’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians not only as advocates for accountability but also as active partners in shaping the future of integrity in the extractive industries and beyond.
“At NEITI, we recognize that corruption undermines opportunities for growth, distorts resource governance, and deepens inequality. We also know that a united, informed, and courageous generation can dismantle these barriers.
“This is why NEITI will continue to expand civic education, strengthen our reporting mechanisms, support youth-led innovation, and create more platforms for constructive engagement with young professionals, students, and entrepreneurs”, he added.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal to order the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and 25 other defendants accused of defrauding Nigerians of about ₦1.3 trillion through an unlawful digital asset investment scheme.
CBEX
The request was made during the first sitting of the 6th Tribunal in case IST/OA/02/2025 between the SEC and CBEX with 25 others, presided over by tribunal chairman, Hon. Aminu Jinaidu.
The SEC urged the tribunal to compel commercial banks and financial institutions nationwide to freeze all accounts linked to the defendants.
It also sought orders for the seizure of houses and assets allegedly acquired with funds sourced from unsuspecting investors.
According to the commission, CBEX operated illegally by posing as a digital assets platform and capital market operator without registration.
“CBEX is an unregistered platform promising its users 100 percent return on investments within 30 days, which is unlawful and contrary to Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act 2025,” the SEC told the tribunal.
The regulator disclosed that international authorities had previously raised concerns about CBEX.
The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong issued an advisory on April 23, 2024, warning that the platform was a suspicious virtual asset entity.
The tribunal noted that CBEX and the other defendants failed to appear in court and were not represented by legal counsel.
Hon. Jinaidu therefore ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers.
CBEX reportedly entered the Nigerian market in July 2024, operating via a website and mobile application, while claiming to use advanced Artificial Intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading.
Investors were promised returns of up to 100 percent within a 40 to 45 day lock-in period.
The scheme later collapsed, triggering widespread losses. Investigations revealed that CBEX functioned as a Ponzi scheme that siphoned more than ₦1.3 trillion, estimated at about $800 million, before disappearing.
The matter has been adjourned to January 27, 2026.
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, has launched TELE-VET, Nigeria’s first Tele-Veterinary Call Centre, marking a groundbreaking milestone set to transform access to expert animal healthcare using mobile technology.
Speaking at the event held at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Animal Hospital, Oko-Oba, Agege, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, described TELE-VET as a transformative initiative that strengthens animal health systems, improves food safety, and accelerates agricultural innovation across the state and beyond.
She stated that technology continues to redefine global food systems, and Lagos, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, remains committed to deploying digital solutions that enhance efficiency, empower farmers, and safeguard public health. The Commissioner explained that TELE-VET addresses long-standing challenges faced by farmers and pet owners, especially limited access to timely and professional veterinary care.
Ms. Olusanya highlighted that TELE-VET builds on the existing mobile platforms, M-Agric and M-Health, available on MTN and Glo networks, which provide daily expert tips, mentorship, and animal-care guidance. By dialing *20791#, users can subscribe for ₦100/day, ₦300/week, or ₦500/month, gaining instant access to a variety of services, while all active subscribers can access the Call Centre free of charge.
She added that the Call Centre will deliver emergency support, first-aid guidance, disease-prevention information, and livestock and pet care assistance, noting that the platform helps farmers reduce costs, save time, and access expert care without traveling long distances. She emphasized that TELE-VET will also enhance surveillance and early detection of zoonotic diseases, aligning with the One World, One Health framework that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
The Commissioner further mentioned that TELE-VET sets the stage for future innovations, including livestock and pet health insurance, e-commerce for veterinary products, improved mobility for safe animal transport, and enhanced financing opportunities for farmers, positioning Lagos as a national leader in technology-driven agricultural transformation.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, commended the initiative as a groundbreaking intervention that will significantly improve service delivery within the State’s veterinary ecosystem. He stressed that TELE-VET responds to the evolving needs of farmers and pet owners who require swift and professional support to enhance productivity and ensure animal well-being.
Mr. Audu noted that the Ministry has invested extensively in strengthening the infrastructure, technical systems, and human resources needed to operate a world-class veterinary call centre. He stated that the service is a strategic investment in Lagos State’s food security architecture, enabling efficient livestock health management and timely response to potential disease outbreaks.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the Call Centre will minimize animal losses, improve farm management practices, and provide timely advisory services to farmers, aligning with the Ministry’s mandate to promote sustainable agricultural practices across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs. He praised the collaboration among veterinary professionals, ICT partners, and technical teams that made the initiative possible.
Mr. Audu reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuously upgrading the TELE-VET platform to accommodate innovations that improve efficiency and expand service offerings. He encouraged residents to adopt the platform fully, noting that its success depends on widespread participation.
In his remarks, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Rasheed Macaulay, stated that the launch of TELE-VET marks a new era in veterinary care delivery in Lagos State. He explained that the platform provides a practical solution to challenges such as limited manpower, delayed emergency response, and difficulties reaching farmers in remote areas by connecting residents directly to certified experts.
Dr. Macaulay added that TELE-VET will strengthen disease surveillance and reporting across the State, aiding early detection of animal diseases and preventing zoonotic infections. With real-time consultations, improved documentation, and faster escalation processes, the platform will support frontline veterinarians and promote safer, healthier food systems for all Lagos residents.
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