Ikeja Electric Plc set to restore power supply to the Sam Ethan Air Force Base (SEAFB) in Ikeja, Lagos, following high-level discussions with the Nigerian Air Force, as federal government has now committed to settling its outstanding electricity debt of over N4.3 billion speedily.

The power distribution company had earlier disconnected the base due to prolonged non-payment of electricity bills, repeated acts of vandalism against its equipment, and the refusal to allow the installation of a High Voltage Pre-paid meter to regulate energy consumption.

In a letter addressed to the Base Commander of SEAFB, Ikeja Electric had expressed concerns over the base’s growing debt, which had significantly impacted its operations. Since the privatization of Ikeja Electric 12 years ago, the company had continued to supply electricity to SEAFB despite the accumulated debt. In 2024 alone, the base added an additional N893 million in unpaid bills.

“As acknowledged in your letter, Ikeja Electric has been engaging with the leadership of Sam Ethan Air Force Base to address concerns regarding electricity supply and unpaid monthly bills. Despite numerous discussions and formal notifications, the issue persisted, prompting us to explore alternative solutions,” the letter stated.

In an effort to manage financial losses, Ikeja Electric had installed an Autorecloser device to regulate electricity supply in proportion to payments received. However, the company lamented that the device had been vandalized multiple times, hindering its ability to manage supply effectively.

The company also recalled an agreement reached with the Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshal Ademulegun, on October 3, 2024, to install a High Voltage Pre-paid meter at the base. However, access for the installation was denied twice, in December 2024 and February 2025, further worsening the debt crisis.

“In light of the refusal to install the pre-paid meter, repeated damage to our equipment, and an accumulated debt exceeding N4 billion, we had to take the difficult decision to withdraw our services from SEAFB,” Ikeja Electric stated.

Despite the disconnection, Ikeja Electric had reiterated its willingness to engage in discussions with the Air Force, provided that a mutually acceptable payment structure and energy management system could be agreed upon.

Meanwhile, the company raised concerns over alleged incidents of assault and vandalism carried out by armed personnel against its staff. The Chairman of Ikeja Electric, Dr. Kola Adesina, speaking at a press briefing, condemned the violence and damage to the company’s facilities and hopes that the payment would be this week.

“We have about 200 staff on ground, and there were skirmishes of people being beaten. Ten of our staff were brutalized, and our offices were vandalized, with a number of assets destroyed and items taken away during this unfortunate incident,” he stated.

The company had also maintained that tampering with its equipment, including the Autorecloser device, constituted a violation of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Order on unauthorized access, meter tampering, and bypass. It warned that further infractions would attract legal consequences, including penalties amounting to 300% of the base’s last recorded monthly consumption before any reconnection could be considered.

However, after an emergency meeting between Ikeja Electric and the Nigerian Air Force leadership, an agreement was reached, leading to the restoration of power supply to SEAFB. The Air Force has now pledged to settle the outstanding N4.3 billion debt within the week as federal government has promised to settle it speedily and work with Ikeja Electric to implement a sustainable billing system, including the installation of a pre-paid meter.

In response to the situation, the Nigerian Air Force clarified its stance, stating that the disconnection of power to the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base was due to “administrative bottlenecks” that delayed payments. The Force emphasized that it had no intention of defaulting on its obligations and was already making efforts to address the issue before the disconnection occurred.

According to the Air Force, negotiations with Ikeja Electric had been ongoing, and steps were being taken to ensure that future payments were processed more efficiently, noting that the security of Ikeja Electric personnel and facilities within the base remained a priority, and any reports of alleged harassment or vandalism would be thoroughly investigated.

The Air Force assured that it remains committed to maintaining a cordial relationship with Ikeja Electric and other service providers while ensuring uninterrupted power supply to the base.