Customers to get N20.33bn refund, as NERC orders Discos to settle outstanding MAP meter payments

By Oke Peter 

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to refund N20.33bn owed to customers under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme within 12 months starting from March 1, 2026.

Under the MAP framework, customers pay upfront for electricity meters and are reimbursed by their DisCos through energy credits. However, the commission observed that refunds have been slow over the years, prompting the new directive.

The order, No: NERC/2026/025, which amends the 2023 reimbursement directive, was signed on February 27, 2026, by NERC Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, and the Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye.

NERC said a compliance review conducted in February 2026 showed that as of December 31, 2025, DisCos had an outstanding N20.33bn yet to be reimbursed to customers who procured meters under the MAP scheme.

The commission stated that the new order is aimed at preventing recurring delays, improving customer notification, and strengthening confidence in the power sector. It directed that reimbursements must now be fully automated on customer accounts. DisCos are to recognise the full cost of a MAP meter as credit upon activation and disburse it automatically as monthly energy credits over the approved 12-month amortisation period.

The order also prohibits DisCos from offsetting meter reimbursement credits against customers’ legacy debts, stating that both must be treated separately.

For prepaid customers, DisCos are required to generate monthly tokens equivalent to the reimbursement value no later than the fourth day of each month, based on the prevailing tariff. For postpaid customers, the reimbursement must appear as a distinct credit line item deducted from the total monthly bill.

To recover the N20.33bn backlog, DisCos are to accelerate repayments to affected customers over the 12-month period. During this time, prepaid customers will receive two tokens monthly, while postpaid customers will have two reimbursement credits reflected on their bills.

NERC also mandated all DisCos to file monthly reports detailing the total value of reimbursements made through energy credits and to establish a dedicated email address for customers who have not received their MAP meter refunds. Details of complaints and their resolution status are to be included in the monthly compliance reports submitted to the commission.