Commission directs completion of installations by December 2025

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the disbursement of N28 billion to electricity distribution companies (DisCos) for the second phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme, targeted at metering all outstanding Band A customers free of charge.

The directive, contained in ‘NERC Order No. 2025/10—Order on the Operationalisation of Tranche B of the Meter Acquisition Fund,’ took effect from October 6, 2025, as part of the Presidential Metering Initiative, which seeks to close Nigeria’s estimated seven-million-metre deficit.

In the new order, signed by NERC Vice Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni, and Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, the Commission said the latest tranche would focus on metering all outstanding unmetered Band A customers while also fast-tracking metering for customers on Tariff Band B.

According to the order, the N28 billion will be distributed among the 11 DisCos in proportion to their market contributions. Ikeja Electric will receive the highest allocation of N5.47 billion, followed by Eko DisCo with N4.36 billion, Ibadan DisCo with N4.26 billion, and Abuja DisCo with N3.31 billion. Yola DisCo and Jos DisCo will receive N231million and N794 million, respectively.

The Commission said the initiative was designed to accelerate meter deployment, enhance service quality, and reduce energy theft and collection losses across the power sector.

It also stated that all meters procured and installed under the MAF framework would be provided at no cost to customers.
“DisCos shall, within 10 days from the effective date of this order, conduct a transparent procurement process for the selection and execution of a contract with MAPs with verified and ready-for-deployment meter stock for the metering of end-use customer meters under the MAF scheme.

“DisCos shall, not later than 15 days from the date of the order, submit to the Commission a list of their selected MAPs and details of meter inventory, including meter types, brand names, serial numbers, and meter location, to obtain a ‘No-Objection’ approval from the commission,” the order stated.

Meanwhile, following the approval, MAPs are required to deliver 100 per cent of contracted meter stock within seven days to the DisCos’ warehouses for verification.

The order further stated that once meters are delivered and verified, the Fund Manager will release 60 per cent of the contract sum, with the remaining 40 per cent payable only after full installation is verified.

NERC also cautioned that DisCos would be penalised for delays caused by their own failures, such as not providing network clearance or accurate customer data.