February 2, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters Correspondent
PRETORIA — Electricity supply to the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa was temporarily disconnected on Monday by municipal authorities in the City of Tshwane after the diplomatic mission failed to settle outstanding utility bills, before power was restored hours later when the debt was paid, local officials confirmed.
The development was announced on social media by Dr. Nasiphi Moya, Executive Mayor of Tshwane, under the city’s ongoing #TshwaneYaTima campaign, a credit-control initiative targeting government offices, businesses and residents with significant unpaid municipal charges. Moya wrote: “We’ve disconnected electricity at the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They owe the city for utility services.”
The enforcement action which drew widespread attention online and in diplomatic circles was carried out as part of standard municipal debt recovery measures. Tshwane authorities stressed that no institution is exempt from meeting financial obligations, regardless of its diplomatic status, in line with local regulations requiring customers to pay for municipal services.
Power Restored After Payment
Hours after the disconnection was publicly acknowledged, Mayor Moya posted a follow-up statement confirming that the Nigerian High Commission had settled its outstanding obligations and that electricity would be reconnected. “We thank the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for honouring its debt to the city,” she said.
Multiple reports noted that this was not the first instance of a Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa having electricity cut over unpaid utility bills. In 2023, the Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg was reportedly disconnected for unpaid charges before power was later restored after the debt was cleared.
Foreign Ministry and Budget Constraints
According to media coverage citing Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the blackout stemmed from funding delays related to the passage of Nigeria’s 2026 national budget, which affected the timing of funds sent to the Pretoria mission. A ministry spokesperson explained that the mission had been unable to pay its January utility bill due to the budget not yet being approved or released.
The federal foreign ministry said it has been engaging with South African authorities to resolve the matter quickly and ensure uninterrupted operations at the High Commission, which supports diplomatic engagement and consular services for Nigerians in South Africa.
Diplomatic and Public Reaction
Social media reaction to the power disconnection ranged from criticism of Nigeria’s diplomatic finances to broader comments about the operational challenges facing the country’s foreign missions. Former presidential aide Lauretta Onochie described the incident as a “national disgrace,” saying it tarnishes Nigeria’s image abroad and reflects deeper administrative issues within the country’s foreign service.
Observers note the symbolic weight of such incidents, as electricity cutoffs at diplomatic missions are unusual and tend to draw attention to budgetary and governance issues affecting foreign service operations.