The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has assured customers in Ogun State of improved electricity supply, increased investment in infrastructure and faster resolution of operational challenges.

The company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Deolu Ijose, gave the assurance during engagement meetings with key customers in Sagamu and Ota on Tuesday.

Ijose acknowledged persistent complaints about inadequate electricity supply, frequent outages, metering difficulties and delays in resolving technical faults.

He said the company’s new investors and management were committed to addressing longstanding operational challenges, adding that feedback from customers would guide investment decisions and help identify areas requiring urgent intervention.

According to him, the meetings were organised to enable the company to understand customers’ experiences directly and work with them towards improving electricity delivery and supporting business growth.

Ijose explained that the company had experienced a prolonged period of limited investment under the management of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, affecting infrastructure development and operational improvements.

He disclosed that changes to the company’s board took effect on February 11 following the entry of a new core investor, while the new management assumed office in April.

The IBEDC chief executive said the new ownership structure was expected to strengthen the company’s capacity to invest in infrastructure and resolve persistent service delivery problems.

He added that customers, particularly businesses contributing to economic activity, would help determine where investment was most urgently needed.

Ijose also disclosed that IBEDC had signed an agreement to procure additional electricity directly from a generation company, with an initial supply of approximately 125 megawatts expected to support key business and industrial corridors within its franchise area.

He said the arrangement would complement electricity received through the national grid and ease pressure on available supply. However, he noted that distribution infrastructure would also require upgrades to ensure the additional power could reach customers effectively.

The company was also working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria and other stakeholders on measures to improve electricity delivery, including network intervention projects supported by the World Bank.

Ijose stressed that reliable power supply depended on the performance of the entire electricity value chain, from generation through transmission to distribution.

On service standards, he said IBEDC was reviewing its performance to determine whether eligible Band A customers were receiving the stipulated minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily and to identify the causes of any shortfalls.

He also promised improvements in customer service, meter deployment and the handling of complaints, with a focus on providing more timely responses to customers experiencing supply disruptions.

Ijose said reliable electricity was particularly important to manufacturers, whose operations depended on stable power to run machinery, protect equipment and minimise business losses.

He urged customers to cooperate with the company by providing feedback on their experiences, saying collaboration would help management develop practical solutions and prioritise interventions.

Speaking at the engagement, agro-allied industrialist Goke Adeyemi called on IBEDC to act swiftly and use its available resources to address erratic electricity supply.

Adeyemi said poor power supply was making conditions difficult for business owners and residents across Ogun State.