KEY POINTS
- NERC has approved ₦30 billion to provide free electricity meters to Band A and Band B customers.
- Nigeria’s 11 electricity distribution companies must complete installations by May 31, 2027.
- Customers will not pay for the meters or installation, and the programme has no nationwide public application portal.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved ₦30 billion for the third phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), aimed at providing free electricity meters to unmetered Band A customers and expanding metering coverage among Band B consumers across the country.
The approval, contained in Order No. NERC/2026/121, took effect on November 2, 2026. It is part of efforts to reduce estimated billing, close Nigeria’s electricity metering gap and improve consumer protection.
The approved funding will be distributed among Nigeria’s 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos), based on their respective contributions to the Meter Acquisition Fund.
The programme will prioritise Band A customers who are yet to receive meters while increasing installations for consumers in Band B.
NERC has directed all participating distribution companies to complete installations under this phase by May 31, 2027.
The commission said all meters supplied through the programme must be installed free of charge. Customers are not expected to pay for either the meters or their installation.
It also warned electricity distribution companies and their agents against selling meters provided under the initiative.
To ensure transparency, every meter distributed under the programme must display the name of the relevant distribution company, the applicable phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund and the inscription “NOT FOR SALE”.
The regulator has also introduced procurement and payment requirements to ensure that the funds are properly managed and meter suppliers meet their contractual obligations.
Distribution companies must conduct transparent procurement exercises involving eligible local meter manufacturers, assemblers and Meter Asset Providers with verified meter stocks.
NERC has established maximum procurement prices based on national bidding results from September 2026 to prevent excessive charges and promote cost efficiency.
Payments to suppliers will be made in two stages. Seventy per cent of the contract value will be released after delivery of the meter stocks has been verified, while the remaining 30 per cent will be paid after successful installation and confirmation.
DisCos to Bear Costs of Relocating Customer Connections
NERC has also clarified that distribution companies must bear the costs if they decide to relocate an existing customer connection point for revenue protection purposes.
The commission warned that distribution companies that obstruct or delay meter installations could face regulatory sanctions. It has also introduced monitoring, reporting and evaluation requirements to ensure that the programme is properly implemented.
The intervention is expected to reduce the number of electricity consumers receiving estimated bills and improve billing accuracy across the country.
However, NERC’s announcement does not establish a nationwide public application portal. Meter distribution will instead be coordinated through the participating electricity distribution companies.
Customers who are yet to receive meters are advised to follow announcements from their respective DisCos and NERC for information about installation arrangements in their areas.
Consumers have also been warned against paying individuals or agents claiming to sell meters under the programme, as all meters funded through this phase are designated for free installation.
