Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a N501 billion inaugural bond under the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme (PPSDRP), recording 100 per cent subscription from pension funds, banks, asset managers, and other investors, marking a significant step towards resolving legacy debts, restoring liquidity, and strengthening confidence in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The programme, championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is designed to address long-standing payment arrears owed to power generation companies, which for over a decade constrained liquidity, weakened balance sheets, and discouraged investment across the power sector value chain.
The signing follows the successful completion of Series 1 Power Sector Bond Issuance by NBET Finance Company Plc. The Series 1 issuance closed at N501 billion, comprising N300 billion raised from the capital markets and N201 billion in bonds allotted to participating power generation companies, reflecting strong investor confidence in the reform agenda.
Under the programme, verified receivables for electricity supplied between February 2015 and March 2025 are being settled through negotiated agreements with power generation companies. To date, five power generation companies representing fourteen power plants nationwide – First Independent Power Limited (FIPL), Geregu Power Plc, Ibom Power Company Limited, Mabon Limited, and Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) – have executed Settlement Agreements with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET).The total negotiated settlement amount for these companies stands at N827.16 billion, to be paid in four phased instalments.
Proceeds from the Series 1 issuance will fund the first and second instalment payments to participating power generation companies with signed Settlement Agreements, estimated at N421.42 billion, representing approximately 50 per cent of the total negotiated settlement amount. Payments for this initial phase will be made through a mix of cash and notes.
Speaking at the bond issuance signing ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Arowolo Verheijen, stated that the programme represents a decisive reset of the electricity market, combining debt resolution with broader financial and structural reforms.
Verheijen commended the visionary leadership of President Tinubu, as well as the support of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in making the PPSDRP a reality.
She further acknowledged the support of all members of the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Committee, who played vital roles in making this capital raise a success, as well as all key power sector stakeholders and government authorities, including the Debt Management Office, Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Pensions Commission, and the Nigerian Revenue Service, who facilitated enhancements for the bond issue.
CardinalStone Partners Limited, a leading investment banking firm in Nigeria, led the consortium of appointed professional parties as Lead Financial Adviser and Lead Issuing House to successfully execute the Series 1 Bond Issue, working closely with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), which acted as Sponsor on the transaction, and the Office of the Special Adviser on Energy, which led the settlement negotiations and engagements with the generation companies.
“The Federal Government reaffirms its commitment to disciplined implementation of the programme, and we look forward to the participation of other power generation companies, as part of our broader reforms aimed at building a financially sustainable electricity market that is capable of supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic growth,” she said.
Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina, who owns five power plants, said capital formation can only occur when there is confidence and when a line of sight can truly be seen, recovering investments previously made. “Because we were being owed so much, it was a bit of a problem for us to put in more money. But last year we took the bull by the horns, based on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment in resolving the legacy issues, and I can say that once this process is over, construction will commence immediately on the second phase of our Egbin Power Plant. On behalf of the generation companies, I’d like to thank the President for this resolution,” he said.
By clearing historic arrears, the programme is expected to improve liquidity for power generation companies, strengthen their ability to meet operating and debt obligations, unlock new investment across the sector, and support more reliable electricity supply to homes and businesses.
It also reinforces fiscal discipline through validated claims, negotiated settlements, and transparent capital market financing.
When completed, the programme is said to impact 4,483.60 MWh/h of electricity generation capacity by GenCos, effectively finalising settlement of payments for 290,644.84 GWh of electricity billed since February 2015, and providing a strong foundation for new investments into capacity enhancement and expansion by companies serving 12.03 million active registered customers across the country.
