Nigeria installed 707,765 electricity meters in Nigeria across the first half of 2026. This marks a significant 71% increase compared to the 412,792 units deployed during the same period in 2025.
According to figures released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), national meter coverage has reached 61.51%. However, despite this rapid progress, more than 4.8 million registered power consumers remain unmetered. Consequently, millions of households continue to rely on estimated billing while distribution companies work to bridge the supply gap.
Backstory: Ending Decades of Inaccurate Estimated Billing
To understand the urgent push for electricity meters in Nigeria, one must examine the long-standing crisis within the power sector. For decades, electricity distribution companies (DisCos) relied heavily on estimated billing. This system frequently resulted in arbitrary monthly charges, sparking widespread public dissatisfaction and systemic revenue losses across the value chain.
To address these operational inefficiencies, the federal government launched targeted interventions, including the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) and the World Bank-backed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP). Furthermore, following a dispute resolution with local manufacturers in mid-2026, authorities secured an agreement to deploy 1.56 million additional units before the end of the year.
- 2019–2023: Over 5 million consumers lacked formal metering, causing widespread revenue leakage across DisCos.
- July 2026: Federal authorities resolve disputes with local manufacturers to deliver 1.56 million meters.
- August 2026: NERC reports 7.74 million out of 12.58 million active registered customers are now metered.
Consumer Protection Rules and Future Distribution Goals
While the expansion of electricity meters in Nigeria continues, NERC maintains strict energy caps to protect unmetered consumers from overbilling. These monthly caps restrict how much DisCos can charge unmetered households based on gross energy received in specific distribution feeders.
“Metering protects consumers. It reduces estimated billing and builds the commercial discipline that investment requires,” noted industry regulators during a recent policy briefing.
In conclusion, scaling up local meter production remains vital to achieving universal coverage. As federal programs expand, closing the 4.8 million metering deficit will be essential for building a transparent and financially sustainable energy market.
