The Nigerian high commission in South Africa has paid its utility bills after the building was disconnected from power over outstanding debts.

Earlier, Nasiphi Moya, mayor of Tshwane, announced the city’s decision to cut off electricity to the high commission.

The decision formed part of the city’s ongoing #TshwaneYaTima campaign, an initiative aimed at cutting municipal services to consumers with significant outstanding debts.

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

Hours later, the mayor confirmed receipt of payment from the Nigerian high commission.

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

This is not the first time the Nigerian high commission in South Africa has been thrown into darkness over unpaid electricity bills.

In 2023, City Power, an electricity distribution company in South Africa, cut off power supply to the Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg over a debt of at least R600,000 (about $35,000).

Last September, the high commission was reportedly disconnected from public power supply over its inability to pay accumulated electricity bills.