The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) don approve another N30 billion for the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to buy and install free meters for customers wey no get meter. The new approval carry total money under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) to N79 billion.
NERC tok say the money na the third tranche. Before now, the commission approve N21 billion under Tranche A and N28 billion under Tranche B, making N49 billion.
For Order No. NERC/2026/121 wey take effect on November 2, 2026, NERC say dem go share the N30 billion among the 11 DisCos based on how each one contribute to the fund as of July 2026 market settlement.
The order direct the DisCos to use the money to meter all remaining unmetered Band A customers and push faster to close the metering gap for Band B customers. NERC also insist say every meter wey dem buy and install under the scheme must go to customers free of charge.
As of August 2026, NERC data show say Nigeria metering rate stand at 63.10 per cent. Out of 12.75 million active electricity customers, 8.05 million get meter, while about 4.7 million still dey without meter.
NERC explain say the aim of MAF na to speed up meter deployment, close the metering gap, cut commercial and collection losses for DisCos, improve service quality and make customers satisfied.
The regulator give DisCos conditions. Every meter must show the name of the DisCo, the MAF tranche and the inscription NOT FOR SALE. The DisCos must run transparent procurement within 10 days to pick eligible Local Meter Manufacturers and Assemblers (LMMAs) and Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) wey get verified meter stock ready for deployment.
Within 15 days, the DisCos must submit details of the providers and their available meter inventories to NERC for no-objection approval. The details include meter types, brands, serial numbers and locations. NERC add say the median national MAP online bid price from the September 2026 bidding cycle go be the maximum procurement price for each meter category.
