NERC Approves N30bn For Free Electricity Meters

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved an additional N30 billion for electricity distribution companies to purchase and install free prepaid meters for customers across the country.

The latest approval brings the total amount released under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme to N79 billion as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to address the country’s metering shortage.

The new funding is the third phase of the intervention, which is expected to help reduce estimated billing, improve revenue collection and strengthen electricity distribution across the country.

NERC had earlier approved N21 billion under the first tranche and another N28 billion under the second tranche, bringing the previous funding to N49 billion.

In Order No. NERC/2026/121, which took effect on November 2, 2026, the commission stated that the latest N30 billion would be shared among the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos).

The allocation will be based on the contributions made by each distribution company to the fund as of the July 2026 market settlement.

According to the regulatory commission, the money is expected to cover all remaining unmetered customers under Band A and speed up the provision of meters to customers classified under Band B.

NERC directed the distribution companies to use the funds strictly for purchasing and installing meters for customers without meters in the two electricity service categories.

The development comes as millions of electricity consumers across Nigeria are still without prepaid meters.

Figures released by the commission showed that the country’s metering rate stood at 63.10 per cent as of August 2026.

Out of the 12.75 million active electricity customers recorded during the period, only 8.05 million had been provided with meters, leaving approximately 4.7 million customers without meters.

The commission explained that the Meter Acquisition Fund was established to increase the number of metered customers, address billing challenges and reduce revenue losses suffered by electricity distribution companies.