FG directs DISCOs on new electricity metering policy

  The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has issued a fresh directive to all electricity distribution companies (DisCos), mandating them to publicly disclose details of refunds made to customers who purchased meters under the Meter Asset Providers (MAP) scheme.
  According to reports, this directive was officially announced by NERC on its social media platforms on Monday, following the commission’s first Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Stakeholders’ meeting for 2025. The directive aims to improve transparency and accountability in metering processes, ensuring that customers who paid for meters are duly reimbursed.
  The MAP framework was introduced as a government-backed initiative allowing third-party investors to supply, install, and maintain electricity meters for consumers. Under this arrangement, customers make an upfront payment for the meters, with the expectation that the costs will be reimbursed through energy credits over time by the electricity distribution companies.
  NERC regulations stipulate that “if a customer chooses to make advance payments for meters under these guidelines, the meter’s cost shall be reimbursed through energy credits by the distribution licensee. The repayment schedule will be determined by the commission, considering an assessment of the distribution licensee’s financial status.”
  However, several consumer advocacy groups have raised concerns, stating that some DisCos have been inconsistent in fulfilling their reimbursement obligations. Many customers who acquired meters through the MAP scheme have reportedly not received the promised energy credits, prompting NERC to take stricter regulatory measures.
  In response to these concerns, NERC has now made it mandatory for all DisCos to publicly publish details of MAP refunds on their official websites. The commission stated that this measure is intended to promote transparency, build customer trust, and ensure full compliance with the reimbursement policy.
  “NERC has directed DisCos to publish details of MAP refunds on their websites for transparency. This will demonstrate commitment and consistency to the scheme and encourage customer participation,” the commission stated in its official announcement.
  This directive aligns with the Federal Government’s broader objective of bridging Nigeria’s metering gap, which currently affects more than seven million electricity consumers nationwide. The lack of adequate metering has long been a major issue in the power sector, leading to estimated billing disputes, financial losses, and inefficiencies.
  Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser on Energy to President Bola Tinubu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing this challenge. He emphasized that metering all electricity consumers is a key priority, as it will help improve revenue collection, reduce losses, and enhance overall efficiency in the electricity sector.
  “The government is intervening in the short term by making sure that registered customers within the DisCos have meters because no matter what your tariff is, you need to make sure that you can collect and reduce your collection losses. And so, that’s one of the interventions. You’ve heard about the Presidential Metering Initiative, which looks to consolidate all the different metering initiatives that are funded by different entities,” Verheijen stated.
  He further explained that improved metering will enable the government to accurately track electricity consumption, ensure fair billing, and create a more financially sustainable power sector. Additionally, increased revenue collection from properly metered consumers will provide DisCos with the financial resources needed to invest in infrastructure upgrades, reliability improvements, and expansion of electricity access to underserved areas.
  As part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s power sector, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) convened its first Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Stakeholders’ Meeting for 2025 at its headquarters. The meeting brought together key industry players, regulators, and policymakers to discuss pressing issues affecting the sector and develop actionable solutions.
  Reports indicate that several critical topics were addressed during the meeting, including:
  Tariff methodology and its impact on state electricity transitions  

NESI liquidity and market financial assessments  

The shift towards a multi-tier electricity market and state regulatory commissions  

NERC emphasized that its quarterly stakeholders’ meetings serve as an essential platform for engaging with industry stakeholders, assessing the current state of the electricity sector, and implementing policy measures aimed at improving Nigeria’s power supply system.
  As the government continues to push for reforms, electricity consumers across the country are hopeful that these new measures will lead to improved service delivery, fairer billing practices, and greater accountability from power distribution companies.