The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced that between 600,000 and 700,000 electricity meters are now available for immediate distribution across the country. The disclosure was made during the opening session of the 4th Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja, marking a renewed push to close Nigeria’s long-standing metering gap.
NERC’s Vice Chairman, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, noted that the meters were fully funded through government-backed interventions under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) and are not to be paid for by electricity customers. According to him, the government has “fulfilled its investment obligations,” and it is now the responsibility of distribution companies (DisCos) to ensure the meters reach end-users without delays or discriminatory practices.
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Addressing stakeholders, Dr. Oseni urged DisCos to intensify their public engagement and sensitisation efforts, stressing the need for transparency in the rollout process. He insisted that consumers must be fully informed about when and how the meters will be deployed in their respective coverage areas, especially in communities burdened by estimated billing.
At the meeting, NERC reiterated the importance of cooperation between DisCos and state-level electricity regulators under Nigeria’s evolving power sector reforms. Dr. Oseni cautioned that “no licensee is bigger than their regulator,” emphasizing that regulatory compliance remains central to restoring consumer confidence in the power sector.
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The availability of 700,000 meters marks the latest phase of the federal government’s metering initiative aimed at reducing estimated billing, one of the most persistent complaints of electricity consumers nationwide. Recent sector reports indicate that over seven million registered customers in Nigeria still lack functional meters, a situation that has contributed to widespread billing disputes and customer dissatisfaction.
In response to this gap, NERC previously approved more than N21 billion under the first tranche of the Meter Acquisition Fund to accelerate meter procurement and installation for unmetered customers. A second tranche worth N28 billion, approved in late 2025, further boosted the program, particularly for Band A and Band B customers who have been at the centre of tariff-related controversies.
With the latest arrival of hundreds of thousands of meters, NERC says the focus is now on execution. The Commission has directed all DisCos to commence immediate deployment in line with approved timelines and to avoid any bottlenecks that could undermine the objective of mass metering. It also warned that any operator found hoarding meters or delaying installation would face regulatory sanctions.
For consumers, the development offers renewed hope of more accurate billing, improved transparency and strengthened customer-utility relations. Households and businesses that have long relied on estimated billing may soon transition to consumption-based charges, a move expected to reduce disputes and encourage energy efficiency.
NERC further encouraged Nigerians to report any delays, extortive practices, or irregularities encountered during the meter distribution process. The Commission affirmed that the meters under the Meter Acquisition Fund are free of charge, and no customer is required to make any payment before installation.
As the nationwide rollout begins, the success of this large-scale distribution will depend heavily on the efficiency, integrity and willingness of DisCos to deliver. With over half a million meters ready for deployment, many Nigerians anticipate that the intervention will significantly advance the country’s long-standing goal of full metering and improved electricity service delivery.
