The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a firm directive requiring all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) operating nationwide to refund a total of ₦20.33 billion to customers who paid for electricity meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework but have yet to receive full reimbursement.
The order, titled Order No: NERC/2026/025 – Amended Order on the Reimbursement of Meter Costs, was signed on February 27, 2026 by NERC Chairman Musiliu Oseni and the Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, and takes effect from March 1, 2026.
According to the regulator, a compliance review conducted in February 2026 revealed that, as of December 31, 2025, DisCos had failed to reimburse customers for meters procured under the MAP scheme, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦20.33 billion.
Under the MAP framework, electricity consumers who choose to pay upfront for the procurement and installation of meters are entitled to reimbursement from their respective distribution companies through energy credits or adjustments on their bills over an agreed period.
However, NERC noted that progress in refunding these costs to customers has been slow over the years, prompting the amended directive designed to accelerate repayments, enhance transparency, and protect consumer interests.
To ensure that refunds are delivered efficiently and without further delays, the commission has mandated that all reimbursements be fully automated on customers’ accounts. DisCos are required to recognise the full cost of each MAP meter as a credit upon meter activation and disburse it automatically as monthly credits across the approved amortisation period.
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The order also includes a clear prohibition against offsetting meter reimbursement credits against customers’ legacy debts. NERC insists that reimbursements and any outstanding bills must be treated as separate items, ensuring customers receive the full benefit of their paid meter investments.
For prepaid customers, DisCos are instructed to automatically generate monthly tokens reflecting the value of the refund no later than the fourth day of each month, while postpaid customers must see the reimbursements clearly itemised as credits on their monthly bills, reducing their total payable amounts.
To clear the accumulated ₦20.33 billion owed, the commission directed that DisCos accelerate the rate of repayment so that the entire sum is fully disbursed to affected customers within 12 months, beginning from March 1, 2026.
In addition to repayment requirements, NERC has mandated that all distribution companies submit monthly compliance reports detailing the total value of reimbursements issued and establish dedicated channels, including email platforms, for customers to lodge complaints about delayed or unreceived refunds. These steps aim to strengthen regulatory oversight and bolster consumer confidence in Nigeria’s power sector.
