NERC Approves ₦30 Billion for Free Electricity Meters Across 11 DisCos
ABUJA — The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved ₦30 billion for a new round of free electricity-meter installations across the country’s 11 distribution companies.
The regulator said Order NERC/2026/121, which took effect on 2 November 2026, activates Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund under the Presidential Metering Initiative. The money will be allocated among the DisCos in proportion to their contributions to the fund.
NERC says the programme is intended to provide meters to all remaining unmetered Band A customers and speed up installations for Band B customers. Distribution must be equitable across the states served by each DisCo.
The meters are free to customers and must carry the relevant DisCo’s name, the applicable funding tranche and the words “NOT FOR SALE.” NERC also says any relocation of a customer’s connection point initiated by a DisCo for revenue-protection reasons must be paid for by the DisCo, not the consumer.
Selected manufacturers and meter providers will receive 70 per cent of their payment after verified delivery and the final 30 per cent after installation is confirmed. All installations under the tranche are due to be completed by 31 May 2027.
For consumers, the practical test will be whether DisCos publish transparent installation schedules and prevent unofficial charges. Anyone asked to pay for a meter under this specific programme should document the request and report it to the relevant DisCo and NERC.
Sources: Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission; TheCable; Punch.
Featured image: illustrative stock photograph by Michael Starkie/Unsplash.
