The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has accused the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of intentionally avoiding payment for its outstanding electricity bills, despite having the financial capacity to do so. According to Sunday Oduntan, CEO of ANED, the Ikeja Air Force Base owes a staggering N4.34 billion, with a history of accumulating large unpaid bills over the years.
Speaking on Arise TV’s NewsDay on Friday, Oduntan revealed that the Ikeja Air Force Base’s electricity debt accumulated from November 2013 to December 2022 stood at N7.5 billion. Though former Minister of Power Babatunde Fashola intervened, helping to settle N4.3 billion, a balance of N3.2 billion remained by 2023.
In 2023 alone, the Air Force accumulated a new bill of N1.4 billion. While they paid N1.2 billion, the remaining N200 million was left unpaid. This year, their electricity bill rose to N1.5 billion, but only N623 million was paid, leaving an outstanding balance of N893 million.
As of today, the total outstanding debt of the Ikeja Air Force Base stands at N4.34 billion.
DisCos Criticize NAF’s Behavior
Oduntan criticized the Air Force’s reluctance to settle the debt, saying they were using their military status to avoid responsibility. “They are always doing this ‘gra gra’ thing, reminding us all the time that they are the ones protecting Nigeria,” Oduntan said, emphasizing that other global military forces, such as those in the US or Europe, still pay for their services.
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In a disturbing twist, Oduntan also claimed that DisCo representatives sent to request payment at the Ikeja Air Force Base in 2024 were assaulted. “In 2024, the people that we sent there to ask for payment were beaten up at Ikeja Air Force Base. That was the first problem we had with them,” he said.
Ikeja DisCos Take Action
In response to the unpaid debts, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) took a step to manage the situation more effectively. On July 29, 2024, the Managing Director/CEO of IKEDC issued a formal notice to the Air Force, informing them of plans to install an auto recloser device at the base. This device would allow the DisCos to regulate the power supply based on payment patterns and history.
“The job of that device is to enable us, as a service provider, to manage the supply of energy into any particular place,” said Oduntan. “We can determine how many hours we can give to that community or place, depending on their payment behavior. In the case of the Nigerian Air Force, they can pay, but they just don’t want to.”
Government’s Role in Settling Debts
Oduntan also acknowledged efforts by the Nigerian government to address outstanding electricity debts. Under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the government had made assurances that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including military establishments, would settle their debts.
“In 2023, when this current president came on board, he made it very clear to us and our investors that the government would settle MDA debts, including the military,” said Oduntan. However, in 2024, the situation has changed, leaving the DisCos questioning why the Air Force, despite budgetary allocations, has yet to clear the debt.
Earlier reports confirmed that the Ikeja Electric headquarters was attacked and vandalized by NAF personnel following the disconnection of power due to unpaid bills.
