NERC Orders Energy Credits for Wrongful Disconnections

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued directives requiring electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to compensate customers wrongfully disconnected from power supply with energy credits equivalent to their average consumption over three months for each day of disconnection. Additionally, NERC has mandated that DisCos repair or replace faulty electricity meters within 48 hours of receiving a complaint.

The commission has prohibited the imposition of reconnection fees on customers disconnected in violation of approved procedures. These directives were published in a metering factsheet on October 14, 2026, aimed at enhancing consumer awareness and compliance with regulations.

NERC also stated that customers who pay for meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme must have them installed within 10 days and are entitled to reimbursement in energy credits over 120 months. The credits cannot offset existing debts.

Customers must be reconnected immediately after resolving disconnection disputes, and estimated billing is only permissible when meter readings cannot be obtained.