Electricity consumers across Nigeria incurred a substantial expenditure of at least N84.366 billion for electricity meters during the year 2025.
This figure, reported by Daily Trust, stems from the implementation of the Meters Assets Programme (MAP), which operates under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Under this scheme, consumers initially pay for meters, a cost that is subsequently reimbursed by their respective electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) over a ten-year period through electricity token credits.
The reported sum is based on an average meter cost of N130,000, though prices can vary significantly, with three-phase meters exceeding N200,000.
NERC's quarterly reports for 2025 indicate that a total of 965,303 meters were installed throughout the year, with deployment commencing in the latter half.
Of the total meters deployed, 648,972 were provided through the MAP framework, representing 67.23% of the installations. The Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) followed with 125,025 meters, accounting for 12.95%.
The Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP), a $500 million initiative funded by the World Bank, contributed 88,553 meters, making up 9.17% of the total, despite its later start in the year.
Additionally, Vendor Financed schemes deployed 77,967 meters (8.08%), while DisCos Financed initiatives provided 5,892 meters (0.61%).
Further analysis reveals meter deployment figures by quarter: 187,194 meters were installed in the first quarter, comprising 148,713 from MAP, 36,787 from MAF, 620 from Vendor Financed, and 1,074 from DisCos Financed.
The second quarter saw an increase in deployment to 225,631 meters, with 147,823 from MAP, 65,315 from MAF, 12,259 from Vendor Financed, and 234 from DisCos Financed.
In the third quarter, 228,614 meters were installed, including 176,302 via MAP, 175 via MAF, 7,902 via DISREP, 44,104 via Vendor Financed, and 131 via DisCos Financed.
The fourth quarter recorded the highest deployment with 323,864 meters, of which 176,134 were through MAP, 22,748 through MAF, 80,651 through DISREP, 20,984 through Vendor Financed, and 4,453 through DisCos Financed.
Regarding the distribution of free meters promised under the DISREP, it has emerged that DisCos are predominantly providing them to Band A customers.
An anonymous official from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) explained that Band A customers are prioritised due to their significance to the financial health of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). These customers pay tariffs that reflect the cost of electricity, making them less inclined to accept estimated billing.
These new meters are also being allocated to existing customers whose consumption patterns do not align with the electricity supplied, potentially due to meter tampering or obsolescence.
"We all know how important Band A customers are to the market as they are the only ones paying cost reflective tariff. The high price they pay has made many to reject estimated billing because they see it as exploitative, so we prioritise them."
"Also, the new meters are used to replace old meters for some customers who we feel their consumption is low. This might be due to tampering of the meters or being obsolete. For the remaining customers they can go for MAP which the cost they used to purchase it will be refunded subsequently," the official added.
One electricity consumer in Abuja shared their experience of applying for a meter in January and still awaiting installation four months later, with no updates from the DisCo.
"It has been four months now and I am yet to get the meter. No one has called from the DisCo to give me an update on my application or what alternative I should go for."
"I am already on solar in my house, the reason why I am not desperate to go through the bribing channel to fast track it. While I know getting meters is time consuming, many people using meters I know told me they often give out bribes to receive the meters."
"I could have gone the route of estimated billing but since I have solar, it serves the little it can power little appliances," the consumer stated.
In February, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi, stated that meters supplied under the $500 million World Bank-funded DISREP would be provided and installed free of charge. He cautioned customers against any DisCo compelling them to pay.
According to Gbeleyi, the Federal Government procured these meters to eliminate estimated billing within the NESI.
When asked about the free provision of meters, NERC Chairman, Dr. Musliu Oseni, affirmed that the government had borrowed funds to supply meters and directed DisCos to distribute them without charge.
"The government has taken responsibility to borrow money and provide these meters and said to DisCos ‘I don’t want you to charge my people for these meters. Go and distribute these meters freely.’"
"These meters are to be deployed and installed freely. Anybody asking you to bring money, kindly report to the utility because most of the time, the extortion is between the installers or staff of the DisCos and the customers. This is not inclusive of the management."
The DISREP Investment Project Financing includes a $250 million facility to support DisCos in the bulk procurement of 3.2 million smart customer and retail level meters.
An additional $250 million facility is allocated for the programme for results component of DISREP.
Gbeleyi noted that 182,000 meters had already been installed under DISREP, emphasizing that these were intended for all customers.
He further clarified that while the meters are primarily for unmetered customers, the government has permitted DisCos to allocate up to 20% of these meters for replacing faulty or expired ones.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!