The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has called on electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and meter asset providers to accelerate meter installations in a renewed effort to close the country’s metering gap and eliminate estimated billing.
The commission made this known in a statement released on Tuesday after a recent NESI Metering Stakeholders’ Meeting, which focused on strengthening coordination among industry players to fast-track meter deployment and improve billing transparency.
According to NERC, there is now a strategic shift from primarily financing metering projects to enhancing collaboration across stakeholders. The regulator also highlighted ongoing efforts to align the four existing metering programmes to ensure a more coordinated approach to bridging the gap.
NERC stressed that stronger synergy among DisCos, meter providers, and other key participants in the electricity value chain is critical to speeding up installations. It noted that improved metering will not only enhance billing accuracy but also significantly reduce the reliance on estimated billing.
The commission further emphasised the need for a unified communication strategy to boost consumer awareness and participation in metering initiatives.
The stakeholders’ meeting brought together representatives from the World Bank, Meristem, NCC, NEMSA, DisCos, and meter asset providers, among others. NERC said the engagement is part of broader efforts to improve metering coverage, operational efficiency, and transparency in Nigeria’s electricity market.
Despite ongoing initiatives, over six million Nigerian electricity customers still face under-estimated billing due to inadequate metering infrastructure.
Earlier in January, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, announced that meters procured under the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) would be installed free of charge for all electricity consumers, regardless of tariff band. He warned that it is illegal for any DisCo or installer to demand payment for such meters.
However, DisCos have argued that the financial burden of the meters would ultimately fall on them over time, as they are expected to repay the costs within a 10-year period.
Clarifying the issue, NERC Chairman Musiliu Oseni stated that while meters provided under government-funded programmes are free at the point of installation, other metering options remain available for customers who prefer faster access through paid schemes such as the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) programme.
Oseni reaffirmed that DISREP meters are fully funded by the government and must be provided to consumers at no cost, noting that repayment arrangements by DisCos would not translate into additional charges for customers.
