- The Presidency has urged the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, to prioritise the acceleration of the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).
- The meeting also focused on advancing renewable energy projects and improving Nigeria’s power sector infrastructure.
The Presidency has called on Bayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, to prioritise the acceleration of the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) as part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s power sector. This directive was issued on Thursday, December 19, 2024, during a meeting between Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), and Adelabu, along with other key officials from the Ministry of Power.
A look back at the past…
During the Electricity Hub’s Power Dialogue session in January 2022, the state of metering in the country was discussed in detail. During the dialogue, several polls were conducted to gauge the audience’s perception of the current metering situation. The results revealed that 71% of the online audience currently have a meter, while 23% do not. Of those without a meter, only 27% had their meter installed within the last 12 months. Furthermore, 56% of participants agreed that the NMMP had been at least somewhat successful, while 19% unequivocally stated that it had been successful.
Resolutions from the December 19 2024 Meeting
According to a recent statement released on X (formerly Twitter), the meeting aimed to assess progress on the administration’s key initiatives and ensure the effective delivery of ministerial mandates under President Tinubu’s leadership.
The statement highlighted that the meeting focused on the Q1–Q3 Performance Assessment Report regarding the administration’s priorities and deliverables. The NMMP, launched in 2020, is designed to provide prepaid meters to Nigerian electricity consumers, reducing the challenges associated with acquiring meters and addressing issues related to estimated billing.
Key outcomes from the meeting include:
- Fast-Tracking Metering Solutions
A significant focus was placed on accelerating the rollout of metering solutions through the NMMP. This initiative seeks to eliminate the persistent problems of estimated billing, which have damaged consumer trust and hindered revenue generation in the power sector. By ensuring proper metering, the government aims to foster a transparent and fair billing system that will help boost revenue collection and restore consumer confidence. - Advancing Renewable Energy Projects
The meeting also reviewed the progress of critical renewable energy projects, including the Katsina Hybrid/Solar Plant and the 132kV transmission line from Zungeru to Tengina. These projects are central to Nigeria’s renewable energy goals and, once completed, will enhance the stability of the national grid while expanding power generation capacity, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The projects are expected to contribute significantly to energy sustainability and national economic growth. - Improving Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure
A key agenda item was upgrading Nigeria’s ageing transmission and distribution infrastructure. This includes reducing transmission losses and ensuring a more equitable electricity distribution nationwide. The meeting emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Ministry of Power, Distribution Companies (DisCos), and other stakeholders to address systemic inefficiencies in the sector. - Enhancing Data Accuracy for Informed Decision-Making
Hadiza Bala Usman presented the Ministry’s performance scorecard for the first three quarters of 2024, underscoring the importance of accurate and verifiable data for effective policymaking. She urged the Ministry, Directorate of Planning, Research, Statistics, and affiliated agencies to strengthen their data collection and verification processes. Reliable data, she noted, is crucial for identifying sectoral gaps, prioritising resources, and achieving measurable outcomes.
The meeting reinforced the Tinubu administration’s commitment to ensuring that government initiatives deliver tangible benefits to Nigerian citizens. By addressing key challenges in the power sector, the administration aims to provide sustainable energy solutions that drive industrial growth, improve quality of life, and promote economic stability.
This engagement forms part of ongoing reviews of the administration’s priorities across various ministries, focusing on transparency, accountability, and collaboration to achieve impactful governance.