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FG bans meter charges as smart meters to be installed free nationwide under DISREP.
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DisCos, installers face prosecution if they demand money from electricity consumers.
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3.4 million smart meters to be deployed to close Nigeria’s metering gap.
The Federal Government has ordered electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and meter installers to stop collecting any form of payment for meter installation, warning that violators will be prosecuted.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued the directive on Thursday while inspecting newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos. The meters were procured under the World Bank–supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) to strengthen billing efficiency and revenue collection in the power sector.
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Adelabu stressed that the meters must be provided and installed completely free of charge, describing any demand for payment as illegal. He warned that both DisCo officials and third-party installers involved in extortion would face prosecution.
According to the minister, the programme targets the importation of about 3.4 million meters in two phases. He disclosed that nearly one million meters have already arrived in the country, with about 150,000 units installed so far across the 11 DisCos. An additional 500,000 meters were received in the latest batch, while more are expected in the second phase.
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He explained that full metering would improve transparency in electricity billing, boost consumer confidence, and enhance liquidity in the sector. Adelabu added that the government would monitor installations closely and rely on tip-offs from consumers to detect extortion.
To address complaints, the minister said a customer complaint desk would be created, with cases investigated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and state regulators. Any confirmed case of extortion, he said, would be publicly prosecuted to deter others.
Adelabu clarified that the free meters are for all categories of electricity consumers, insisting that distribution will not be limited to specific tariff bands.
Also speaking, Ayo Gbeleyi, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), said new NERC guidelines would soon be issued to ensure DisCos grant unhindered access for meter installations. He noted that deployment is being tracked through monitoring dashboards.
Meanwhile, Mojisola Abdul, Chairman of Mojec, one of the meter providers, said the company has already installed close to 150,000 meters at no cost. She disclosed plans for mobile registration, assuring that registered customers could receive meters within three days.
Adelabu acknowledged past challenges with meter availability but said the current programme eliminates previous obstacles, noting that Nigeria’s estimated billing problem—affecting over five million consumers—would be significantly reduced through the ongoing rollout.