South Africa Restores Power To Nigerian High Commission After Electricity Debt Is Cleared

South Africa Restores Power To Nigerian High Commission After Electricity Debt Is Cleared

Electricity has been restored at the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa after the diplomatic mission hurriedly cleared its outstanding power bills, following an embarrassing disconnection by municipal authorities.

As reported earlier by MUK TV, the City of Tshwane had earlier pulled the plug on the High Commission as part of its aggressive debt recovery drive, publicly naming the Nigerian mission among defaulters.

Announcing the action, Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya said the disconnection fell under the city’s #TshwaneYaTima campaign, which targets consumers with unpaid utility charges.

“We’ve disconnected electricity at the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They owe the city for utility services,” she said.

But hours later, the standoff ended.

Moya confirmed that the Nigerian High Commission had settled the debt, prompting immediate plans to reconnect power.

“We thank the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for honouring its debt to the city. The city will reconnect electricity,” she added.

This is not the first time Nigeria’s diplomatic mission has been embarrassed by power cuts in South Africa. In 2023, City Power disconnected electricity to the Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg over an outstanding debt estimated at R600,000 (about $35,000).

Again, in September 2025, the High Commission reportedly went dark after electricity was cut over accumulated unpaid bills, underscoring a recurring pattern of utility-related disputes.