Millions of Nigerians struggling with estimated electricity bills could benefit from a new ₦30 billion metering programme approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), with unmetered Band A and Band B customers given priority. The regulator has directed electricity distribution companies to provide the meters free of charge and complete installations under the scheme by 31 May 2027.
The approval, announced on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, forms part of the third phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), established to reduce the number of electricity customers without meters.
Under Order No. NERC/2026/121, which took effect on 2 November, the money will be distributed among Nigeria’s 11 electricity distribution companies, commonly called DisCos.
NERC has made clear that customers receiving meters under the programme must not be charged for the equipment or its installation.
The regulator’s announcement is particularly significant for households and businesses that have complained about receiving electricity bills based on estimated consumption rather than actual usage.
Who qualifies for the free electricity meters?
According to NERC, the programme will prioritise customers in two electricity tariff categories.
Band A customers: All remaining unmetered customers in this category are targeted for metering under the new allocation.
Band B customers: Distribution companies must accelerate meter installations for customers in this category, subject to the programme’s funding and implementation arrangements.
Band A generally covers electricity feeders classified to receive at least 20 hours of supply daily, while Band B covers feeders classified for at least 16 hours.
However, belonging to either category does not mean a meter will be installed immediately.
Distribution companies must procure the equipment, identify eligible customers and arrange installations within their service areas.
The order does not establish an individual application portal, a nationwide first-come-first-served registration system or a guaranteed installation date for every household.
Customers should therefore contact their electricity distribution company to confirm their tariff band and find out when free meters are scheduled for their neighbourhood.
Nearly 4.7 Million Electricity Customers Remain Without Meters
According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigeria had approximately 12.75 million active electricity customers as of August 2026, of whom 8.05 million (63.1 per cent) had meters, while 4.70 million (36.9 per cent) remained without meters.
This means that nearly four out of every ten electricity customers in Nigeria were still without meters, highlighting the country’s persistent electricity metering gap.
However, the ₦30 billion approval does not mean all 4.7 million unmetered customers will immediately receive free meters. NERC has not established that the allocation is sufficient to cover the entire national shortfall.
How the ₦30 billion will be shared among electricity companies
The approved funding will be distributed among the 11 DisCos according to their contributions to the Meter Acquisition Fund.
Reported allocations, rounded to two decimal places
| Electricity distribution company | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Ikeja Electric | ₦6.85bn |
| Abuja Electricity | ₦5.33bn |
| Eko Electricity | ₦4.39bn |
| Ibadan Electricity | ₦3.17bn |
| Enugu Electricity | ₦2.44bn |
| Benin Electricity | ₦2.08bn |
| Kano Electricity | ₦1.86bn |
| Kaduna Electricity | ₦1.53bn |
| Port Harcourt Electricity | ₦1.37bn |
| Jos Electricity | ₦856.75m |
| Yola Electricity | ₦121.98m |
Source: TheCable’s reporting on NERC Order No. NERC/2026/121. Published figures are rounded and may not sum exactly to ₦30 billion.
Ikeja Electric receives the largest allocation, followed by Abuja and Eko distribution companies.
However, the amount assigned to each company should not be interpreted as the number of households that will receive meters.
Installation costs, meter types and procurement prices will determine how many devices can be provided within the available funding.
NERC has also directed the companies to distribute meters fairly across the states within their respective service areas.
Customers must not pay for meters under the programme
One of the strongest provisions of the new order is the prohibition on charging beneficiaries for meters supplied under the Meter Acquisition Fund.
NERC states:
“All meters supplied and installed under the MAF programme shall be provided FREE OF CHARGE to customers.”
Every meter supplied under the scheme must display the relevant distribution company’s name, the applicable programme phase and the words “NOT FOR SALE”.
This requirement is intended to prevent unauthorised sales and make it easier for consumers to identify meters supplied through the government-backed programme.
The regulator also directed that where a distribution company decides to relocate an existing customer’s connection point for revenue protection purposes, the company must bear the cost.
Any customer asked to pay for a meter specifically allocated under this free scheme should seek clarification from the DisCo and report suspected unauthorised charges through the appropriate complaints process.
NERC sets May 2027 deadline and threatens sanctions
Electricity distribution companies have until 31 May 2027 to complete meter installations under the new allocation.
NERC has instructed them to purchase equipment through transparent procurement processes involving eligible local meter manufacturers, assemblers and approved Meter Asset Providers.
To reduce the risk of contractors receiving full payment without completing installations, the regulator has introduced a two-stage payment system.
Contractors will receive 70 per cent of their payment after the delivery of meter stock has been verified.
The remaining 30 per cent will be paid only after the installation has been confirmed.
NERC says sanctions may apply where a distribution company’s failures obstruct or delay installations.
All supply and installation contracts must also be submitted to the regulator for monitoring.
What the programme means for Nigerians living abroad
For Nigerians living in Britain, the United States, Europe and other countries, the programme could benefit relatives and businesses back home.
Many Nigerians abroad contribute towards electricity bills for parents, dependants and family-owned properties.
Households currently receiving estimated electricity bills may benefit from more accurate billing once a meter is installed.
A meter allows electricity consumption to be measured rather than estimated, making it easier to monitor usage and question irregular charges.
However, installing a meter does not automatically reduce electricity tariffs or guarantee an uninterrupted power supply.
Nigerians paying utility bills for family homes should encourage their relatives to confirm their tariff classification, check whether they are registered with the relevant DisCo and obtain official information about planned installations.
How to check eligibility or report illegal charges
Consumers who want to know whether their homes qualify should first contact the distribution company responsible for their electricity supply.
They should have their electricity account or customer number available, confirm whether the property already has a registered meter and ask whether it is listed for metering under Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund.
If a worker demands payment for a meter described as free under the programme, customers should avoid making an unofficial payment and request written clarification from the distribution company.
Complaints should initially be submitted to the company’s Customer Complaints Unit, with supporting documents and a record of the complaint.
If the problem remains unresolved, customers can escalate it through the appropriate electricity regulator. In states where electricity regulation has transferred to a state regulator, the complaint route may differ.
The official NERC complaints guide explains the process, while its electricity metering factsheet provides further information about consumer rights.
What readers should know
NERC has approved ₦30 billion to provide free electricity meters, prioritising remaining unmetered Band A customers and accelerating installations for Band B consumers. The scheme took effect on 2 November 2026, and participating distribution companies must complete installations by 31 May 2027.
Customers selected under the programme must not pay for their meters or installation. However, eligibility does not guarantee immediate delivery, and the regulator has not announced that every unmetered household in Nigeria will benefit from this allocation.
The most important step for consumers is to confirm their electricity band and installation status with their distribution company, avoid unofficial payments and report suspected violations.
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