Nigeria’s High Commission in South Africa was cut off from electricity by the City of Tshwane due to unpaid utility bills, in a development that has drawn widespread embarrassment and criticism.
The Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Dr. Nasiphi Moya, confirmed the action in a post on X, stating: “#TshwaneYaTima: We’ve disconnected electricity at the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They owe the city for utility services.”
The move sparked reactions online, with both Nigerians and South Africans questioning how a foreign diplomatic mission could accumulate utility debts in the host country.
Hours later, Moya updated her post, confirming that the Nigerian High Commission had settled the outstanding bills. “We thank the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for honouring its debt to the city. The city will reconnect electricity. @CityTshwane,” she wrote.
As of filing this report, neither the Nigerian High Commission nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an official statement on the incident.
The episode highlights ongoing concerns about the management of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, particularly regarding funding, maintenance of facilities, and staff welfare.
Koikimedia recalls a similar case in February 2024, when Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) issued a 10-day ultimatum to more than 50 Nigerian ministries, departments, and agencies, including the United Nations’ Abuja liaison office, ECOWAS, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Presidential Villa, over a combined outstanding electricity debt of N37.641 billion.
At the time, AEDC had threatened to cut power to key government offices, including the Presidential Villa, which owed N923.8 million, and agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, EFCC, and DSS, which together owed over N3.4 billion.
The electricity company explained that publication of the debts had become necessary after repeated attempts to recover payments failed.
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