NERC releases N30bn for free meters to Band A, B electricity customers
Nigeria's electricity regulator has approved N30 billion to provide free meters to unmetered Band A customers and expand metering among Band B consumers by May 2027.
Nigeria's electricity regulator has committed N30 billion toward closing the metering gap through the third phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund. This financing will reach eleven electricity distribution companies, with allocation determined by the scale of their contributions to the Fund.
Regulatory order NERC/2026/121 took effect starting November 2, 2026, as part of the Presidential Metering Initiative. Two core aims structure the deployment of these funds: supplying meters to all Band A customers who remain unmetered, plus speeding up meter installations for Band B consumers.
Distribution companies must finish all meter deployments no later than May 31, 2027. The regulator made clear that metering equipment supplied under this scheme cannot be charged to customers; all provision occurs without cost.
Within each distribution company's territory, the funds must reach all states in a balanced manner. Transparency safeguards for programme execution are embedded within the regulatory framework, as the commission outlined.
Earlier tranches of the Meter Acquisition Fund had already begun tackling Nigeria's longstanding meter shortage across the power sector. The highest-consuming electricity users fall into Band A, whereas Band B encompasses those with intermediate usage patterns.
Completion by the end of May 2027 sets a binding target for distribution firms to fulfil their meter-installation requirements during this programme phase.
