Over 5m Nigerians still without electricity metres — NERC
More than five million power users nationwide still lack prepaid meters, according to the Nigerian power Regulatory Commission, which forces them to rely on anticipated billing from electrical distribution firms.Only 6,661,564 of the 12,030,315 registered electricity consumers supplied by the 12 distribution companies were metered as of September 30, 2025, according to NERC's third-quarter 2025 industry report, which is available on its official website. This number indicates that just 55.37% of the nation is covered with meters.
During the quarter, 176,302 meters were placed under the Meter Asset Provider framework, making up 77.12% of all installations. Comparing this to the second quarter of 2025, there was a rise of 18.20%. Installations under the MAP system were led by Ibadan DisCo with 53,441 meters, followed by Abuja with 35,449 meters and Benin with 26,690 meters.
During the quarter, installations were also influenced by other metering frameworks. 44,104 meters, or 19.29 percent of the total, were part of vendor-financed projects. 7,902 installations, or 3.46 percent, were reported by the Distribution Sector Recovery Program. DisCo-Financed installations totaled 131 meters, or 0.08 percent and 0.06 percent, respectively, while the Meter Acquisition Fund provided 175 meters.
During the quarter, installations were also influenced by other metering frameworks. 44,104 meters, or 19.29 percent of the total, were part of vendor-financed projects. 7,902 installations, or 3.46 percent, were reported by the Distribution Sector Recovery Program. DisCo-Financed installations totaled 131 meters, or 0.08 percent and 0.06 percent, respectively, while the Meter Acquisition Fund provided 175 meters.
According to the data, during the third quarter of 2025, 228,614 meters were placed nationwide. Distribution companies in Ibadan, Aba, and Abuja had the most installations, making up 23.38%, 20.81%, and 19.06% of all meters deployed, respectively. In comparison to the 226,959 meters installed in the second quarter of 2025, this performance showed a slight improvement of 0.73 percent.
Nine distribution companies saw a decrease in meter installations during the time under consideration, despite the overall increase. With declines of 62.35 percent and 61.68 percent, respectively, Port Harcourt and Jos DisCos saw the biggest declines.
Nine distribution companies saw a decrease in meter installations during the time under consideration, despite the overall increase. With declines of 62.35 percent and 61.68 percent, respectively, Port Harcourt and Jos DisCos saw the biggest declines.
NERC noted that the Meter Acquisition Fund, which was established in February 2023, permits a metering surcharge within approved electricity tariffs. The commission explained that Tranche B of the fund, which became effective on October 6, 2025, makes available N28 billion to support metering for Band A and Band B customers across the franchise areas of the distribution companies.
The report further highlighted the contribution of the Federal Government-backed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme, which is supported by a $500 million loan from the World Bank. The programme is designed to improve the technical and financial performance of distribution companies while closing the country’s metering gap through the deployment of 3.2 million smart meters. Meter installation under DISREP commenced in May 2025 with Abuja DisCo, and a total of 7,902 meters had been installed by the end of the third quarter of 2025.
NERC said the findings underscore the persistent challenge of unmetered electricity customers in Nigeria, a situation that leaves millions exposed to inconsistent billing practices and underscores the urgent need to accelerate meter deployment nationwide.
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