Despite the injection of nearly N1.5 trillion into various electricity metering initiatives by the Federal Government and its development partners, Nigeria continues to grapple with a massive metering deficit, largely due to poor programme implementation, regulatory weaknesses, profiteering by electricity distribution companies (DisCos), and cost burdens pushed onto consumers.
According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), only 6.288 million electricity customers—representing 46.57% of the registered 13.503 million customers—had been metered as of December 31, 2024. This leaves over 7.215 million Nigerians, or 53.57%, subjected to the often-inflated and controversial estimated billing system favored by the DisCos.
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Troubled Metering Programme: NMMP’s Collapse and Allegations of Corruption
The National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), launched in 2020 with a N200 billion seed fund from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), initially aimed to install one million meters during its Phase 0. However, the programme ran into difficulties by 2022, when many Meter Asset Providers (MAPs)—primarily local manufacturers—failed to deliver the promised meters.
An insider who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the programme’s failure was rooted in corruption and collusion between meter providers and government officials overseeing the scheme. “Most of the meters were never supplied,” the source said, despite mounting pressure from the CBN.
The CBN report to the House of Representatives’ subcommittee revealed that N55.42 billion, about 93.49% of the Phase 0 budget, had been disbursed. Yet, of the 976,968 meters supposedly delivered, only 933,394 were confirmed installed by April 2025.
Despite this, electricity consumers continue to face estimated billing for unreliable or absent power supply, and the DisCos continue to profit. One resident in Mpape, Abuja, noted, “We have not had power for four days, yet our monthly bill will be the same—or worse, higher. If you don’t pay, they simply disconnect you.”
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Consumer Frustration and Questions on Accountability
Consumer rights advocates argue that such arbitrary billing, even during grid collapses or blackouts, is unjust. Activist Okorie questioned the credibility of the sector’s leadership: “Who are the people driving privatization in the power sector? Where’s the Ministry of Power’s consumer protection effort?”
He stressed that given the enormous sums already spent, meters should be free to all electricity users, rather than shifting the burden to already strained households.
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Expert View: Government Interference and Data Integrity Under Fire
Electricity sector analysts argue that government interference is exacerbating the problem, not solving it. Adetayo Adegbemle, Executive Director of PowerUp Nigeria, stated that government-led schemes have consistently lacked transparency, measurable goals, and public accountability.
“The Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) promised 70,000 meters by April and 200,000 by May 2025—yet no one has seen a single one,” Adegbemle said. He also pointed to fake data reporting by DisCos claiming unverified installations. This led the CBN to freeze over 140 bank accounts linked to fraudulent meter suppliers, but the outcome of that investigation remains unknown.
Another expert, Lanre Elatuyi, questioned the continued government spending in a privatized sector, labeling it counterproductive and riddled with inefficiencies.
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Government Response: Minister Says Progress Is Being Made
In response to the criticism, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, through his media aide Bolaji Tunji, defended the government’s interventions, noting “significant progress” in bridging the metering gap over the past year.
The Ministry pointed out that metering installation has averaged 668,000 meters per year, and ongoing initiatives are expected to scale that up.
Among the plans is the Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP), which aims to deliver over 3.2 million meters by 2026 through various competitive procurement models:
1,437,501 meters via International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1)
217,600 meters via National Competitive Bid (NCB)
1,550,000 meters via International Competitive Bid 2 (ICB2)
As of May 2025, the first 275,000 meters under ICB1 had been delivered.
In addition, the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) has reportedly secured N700 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been established to ensure large-scale procurement and accountability.
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NERC’s Role: Energy Capping to Curb Estimated Billing Abuse
Meanwhile, NERC insists it is actively working to protect consumers from exploitation. Adamu Ibrahim, Principal Manager at the Commission, highlighted the energy capping policy, which prevents DisCos from billing unmetered customers above the average consumption of those with meters on the same feeder.
“The cap is a ceiling, and DisCos are not allowed to exceed it. We update and publish these figures monthly,” Ibrahim explained, encouraging customers to verify their caps online and report overbilling.
He assured that affected customers would be compensated, and erring DisCos sanctioned.
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Conclusion: More Promises, Few Results
Despite repeated government assurances, the reality remains bleak for millions of Nigerian electricity users. Over half of them continue to pay for power they don’t get, while billions of naira circulate in a sector marked by poor oversight, data manipulation, and dubious accountability.
Until the metering gap is bridged with sincerity, transparency, and enforcement, the Nigerian power sector’s long-standing billing crisis is unlikely to end.
