The Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) has directed electricity supply licensees operating in Lagos State not to recover unpaid electricity charges that are more than 12 months old from consumers.
The directive was issued through a consumer awareness message published on the commission’s official social media platforms as part of efforts to educate residents about their rights under the state’s electricity regulatory framework.
LASERC said electricity companies cannot demand payment for bills older than one year. However, the restriction does not apply in cases involving meter tampering, illegal electricity use or deliberate obstruction of meter reading, where recovery of older charges may still be permitted.
The commission advised consumers who receive bills covering periods beyond 12 months, and who are not involved in any of the exempted violations, to dispute the charges and report the matter to LASERC for investigation and resolution.
The directive addresses longstanding complaints over excessive back-billing by electricity providers, a practice that has often resulted in large unexpected bills and threats of disconnection. Consumer rights advocates have welcomed the move, describing it as a step toward greater transparency, accountability and stronger consumer protection in Lagos State’s electricity sector.
