As of April 2026, the distribution of electricity from the national grid continues to favor a select group of states—primarily those with high industrial density or political significance.
While the national total generation remains a challenge, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) reports show that a few urban centers receive the lion’s share of available megawatts.
Here are the states and territories consistently receiving the highest power allocations from the national grid.
1. Lagos State
Lagos remains the undisputed leader in power consumption and allocation in Nigeria. Due to its status as the nation’s industrial and commercial hub, the Ikeja Electric and Eko Electricity Distribution Companies receive the highest daily loads.
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The Situation: As of April 2026, Lagos has moved aggressively to decentralize its power sector. Following the Electricity Act 2023, Lagos was the first to take over its own regulatory powers, attracting private capital into gas-fired and renewable projects to augment its grid supply.
2. Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
Abuja receives a disproportionately high amount of power compared to its population and landmass. Data from March 2026 revealed that the FCT often receives more power than the entire South-East region combined.
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The Data: On March 24, 2026, Abuja was handed 503 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the national grid, while the five states of the South-East received a combined total of only 203 MW. This trend of high allocation to the capital city remains a point of national debate.
3. Ogun State
Known as the “Industrial Capital of Nigeria,” Ogun State receives massive allocations to serve its numerous manufacturing clusters along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the Agbara industrial estate.
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The Situation: Ogun consistently ranks among the top three because of its high concentration of “Band A” customers who are guaranteed a minimum of 20 hours of power daily. The state is currently finalizing a 480MW substation project to further increase its capacity.
4. Rivers State
Home to the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure, Rivers State (specifically Port Harcourt) is a top-tier consumer. The state benefits from proximity to major gas-fired power plants like the Afam VI and Ihovbor plants, which reduce transmission losses.
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The Data: NERC reports from early 2026 identify Rivers as a “priority dispatch zone” due to the critical nature of its industrial operations.
5. Oyo State
Centrally located in the South-West, Oyo State—particularly Ibadan—receives significant allocation through the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), which covers one of the largest franchise areas in the country.
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The Situation: The hosting of major summits and the growth of its industrial zones have kept its grid demand and allocation levels high throughout the first quarter of 2026.
The “Band A” Factor in 2026
The high allocation to these states is driven largely by the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2026, which prioritizes distribution to “Band A” feeders. These are areas where customers pay a premium tariff for a minimum of 20 hours of power.
As NERC Chairman Dr. Musiliu Oseni stated during the Q1 2026 stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos:
“The focus on Band A feeders is a strategic shift to ensure that the limited energy available is directed to areas where cost recovery is guaranteed, allowing for further investment in the grid.”
State of the Grid (April 2026)
According to the latest Operational Performance Factsheet:
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Total Installed Capacity: 13,625 MW
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Average Available for Dispatch: 4,901 MW
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Plant Availability Factor: 36%
While these five states receive the most power, the high Average Load Factor of 90% means that demand still far outweighs supply, even in the highest-performing regions.
