The Improvement of Nigeria’s Electricity Distribution Services Using Integrated Management Systems
Authors:   , Okorie Dike Michael 
Published: September 2024

Access to reliable, affordable, and modern electricity is a vital requirement for the survival of the Nigerian population and the economy. The electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) in Nigeria are responsible for the effective distribution of electricity supply to meet consumer needs in a manner that is safe and reliable. Access to electricity is one of the sustainable development goals (SDGs); however, there are several factors that influence and limit the capacity of the DISCOs to achieve that goal. Factors such as poor decision-making, poor management, organisational corruption, resource mismanagement, exposure to electrical risks and hazards, and political interference are both internal and external factors that impede organisational capacity to ensure that DISCOs are effective and efficient in performing their responsibilities. These problems inform the need for the development of a framework of integrated management systems to encourage DISCOs with capacity building for improved organisational performance to meet consumer electricity needs and provide a safe work environment for the employees to achieve that. The research adopted a case study approach and identified that the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) do not have a quality management system (ISO 9001) or an occupational health and safety management system (ISO 45001), which improves organisational performance to achieve its core values and objectives. The research performed a mixed-methods approach involving a combination of quantitative (304 questionnaires representing a 31% response rate of total employees from AEDC and JEDC) and qualitative (32 interview sessions) approaches in the process of data collection and subsequent analysis. A major finding of this study is that DISCOs have not developed enough organisational capacity to tackle the challenges of poor distribution of electricity in Nigeria. Failures of government commitment and DISCO's inability to execute electricity network projects to improve customer experience have contributed to poor quality of life and increased energy poverty within the country. Another major finding showed poor collaborative efforts between the government, the electricity generation companies, the transmission company of Nigeria, community stakeholders, and the DISCOs with the aim of improving the electricity supply. The research therefore develops a framework of integration based on stakeholder participation tailored to the strategic approach and improvement of electricity distribution, making electricity accessible and reliable. The framework development therefore provides an opportunity for DISCOs to build capacity to improve organisational performance and influence other stakeholders through collaborative engagements on the need to improve access to electricity for sustainable development. By enhancing organisational capacity, DISCOs improve the customer experience with electricity in Nigeria, reduce the level of poverty and the negative impacts of poor access to electricity, reduce electrical accident occurrences, and contribute to human and economic development.