The Federal Government has announced a new phase of its electricity metering programme, with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approving ₦30 billion to provide free meters to eligible customers.
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The funding will support Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), under the Presidential Metering Initiative. NERC said the order, numbered NERC/2026/121, took effect on November 2, 2026, and is designed to reduce the number of consumers without meters.
Who qualifies?
The allocation is intended to cover all remaining unmetered Band A customers and speed up installations for Band B customers. The fund will be shared among Nigeria’s 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), according to their contributions to the MAF. NERC directed that distribution should be equitable across states within each DisCo’s coverage area.
This is not a cash grant or payment to customers. It is a meter procurement and installation arrangement targeting unmetered customers in the specified electricity bands.
What customers should know
NERC has directed DisCos to procure meters through eligible Local Meter Manufacturers and Assemblers (LMMAs) and Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) with verified stock. The regulator has also set maximum procurement prices.
Meters supplied and installed under the MAF must be free to customers. Each must display the relevant DisCo’s name, the applicable MAF tranche and the words “NOT FOR SALE”. Customers should not be charged for a meter provided under this programme. It is also expected to improve billing transparency and reduce disputes over estimated bills.
Where a DisCo requires an existing customer’s connection point to be relocated for revenue protection, the DisCo must bear the cost. NERC also provides for sanctions where a DisCo’s failure delays installation.
The order requires the Fund Manager, DisCos and meter providers to comply with monitoring and reporting rules. All supply and installation contracts must also be filed with NERC.
How to benefit
Customers in Band A who remain unmetered, and Band B customers covered by the rollout, should follow announcements from their electricity DisCo about meter verification and installation. All Tranche C installations must be completed by May 31, 2027. Check updates and the full order at www.nerc.gov.ng.
