THE Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has cleared its outstanding electricity bills after municipal authorities disconnected power supply to its premises in Pretoria over unpaid charges.
News Point Nigeria reports the disconnection was confirmed earlier by the Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Nasiphi Moya, who said the diplomatic mission was cut off as part of the city’s ongoing debt recovery drive targeting defaulting consumers.
According to the mayor, the action fell under the municipality’s #TshwaneYaTima campaign, an enforcement initiative aimed at recovering unpaid utility bills from individuals, businesses, and institutions owing significant arrears.
“We’ve disconnected electricity at the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They owe the city for utility services,” Moya said in a statement announcing the move.
The development quickly attracted public attention, given the diplomatic status of the Nigerian mission and the sensitivity surrounding international relations.
However, hours after the announcement, the mayor confirmed that the Nigerian High Commission had settled the outstanding electricity debt, paving the way for the immediate restoration of power supply.
“We thank the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for honouring its debt to the city. The city will reconnect electricity,” Moya stated.
While the swift payment resolved the latest incident, it is not the first time Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in South Africa has been disconnected from electricity due to unpaid bills.
In 2023, City Power, Johannesburg’s electricity distribution company, cut power to the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg over an outstanding debt estimated at R600,000 (about $35,000 at the time).
Similarly, in September 2025, reports emerged that the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria was again plunged into darkness after public power supply was disconnected over accumulated unpaid electricity charges.
The recurring incidents have raised questions about financial management within Nigeria’s foreign missions and the adequacy of funding and oversight of diplomatic facilities abroad.
Municipal authorities in South Africa have maintained that the debt recovery measures are applied uniformly, regardless of status, as part of efforts to stabilise revenue collection and ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
The Nigerian High Commission has yet to issue a formal public statement explaining the cause of the arrears or outlining steps to prevent future disconnections.