- Over 53% of Nigerians remain unmetered, with 6.16 million out of 13.34 million customers having meters as of September 2024.
- The Federal Government has procured 1.8 million meters, with the first batch expected by December 2024 and the final batch by Q2 2025.
- NERC has ordered DisCos to replace outdated meters at no cost, while the Presidency calls for accelerated efforts in the National Mass Metering Programme.
As of September 30, 2024, more than half of Nigerians still lack meters. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) third-quarter report reveals that only 46.15% of the country’s 13,339,635 registered electricity customers have meters.
This leaves 53.85% of customers dependent on estimated billing. The report shows 6,156,726 customers across 12 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have received meters. Ikeja, Ibadan, and Abuja DisCos lead with 25.45%, 21.48%, and 14.61% of the total meter installations, respectively.
Meter installations increased sharply in Q3 2024. DisCos installed meters for 184,507 customers, a 256.01% rise from the 51,826 installations in Q2 2024. All DisCos, except Aba, Kaduna, and Jos, improved their meter installations. Eko, Ibadan, Ikeja, and Benin DisCos recorded the most significant improvements, with +2,120%, +575.60%, +417.40%, and +389.32%, respectively.
The federal government has taken several actions to address the metering gap. In October 2024, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu announced the procurement of 1.8 million meters. The first batch of these meters should arrive by December 2024, with the final batch expected by the second quarter of 2025.
Adelabu also outlined plans to procure 3 million meters over five years. With World Bank support, the government expects to deliver 3.5 million meters within two to three years.
NERC has also moved to protect customers from paying for outdated meters. In November 2024, it instructed DisCos to replace obsolete meters at no cost to customers. This followed reports that some DisCos had charged for replacing Unistar prepaid meters.
In December 2024, the Presidency urged the Minister of Power to accelerate the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP). The government considers the NMMP a key part of its efforts to reform Nigeria’s electricity sector.
The report highlights the government’s response to widespread dissatisfaction with estimated billing. Many Nigerians have long complained about paying for electricity they did not consume due to the lack of accurate metering systems.
The rise in meter installations shows that efforts to close the metering gap are gaining ground. However, the large number of unmetered customers still presents a challenge.
With the increase in meter procurement and new regulations from NERC, the government aims to improve metering nationwide and reduce reliance on estimated billing. This move is seen as crucial to enhancing the reliability and fairness of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
The Nigerian electricity sector has long struggled with metering issues, but these recent developments could signal a shift. The success of the National Mass Metering Programme depends on timely deliveries and practical implementation across all DisCos.
For now, the government’s actions to provide meters and eliminate estimated billing should offer some relief to electricity consumers across Nigeria.