The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved the release of ₦28 billion to electricity distribution companies for the second phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund scheme, aimed at providing free meters to all remaining Band A customers.
The directive, titled “NERC Order No. 2025/10 — Order on the Operationalisation of Tranche B of the Meter Acquisition Fund,” took effect on October 6, 2025.
It forms part of the Presidential Metering Initiative, which seeks to eliminate Nigeria’s estimated seven-million-meter shortfall.
Signed by NERC Vice Chairman Dr. Musiliu Oseni and Commissioner for Legal, Licensing, and Compliance Dafe Akpeneye, the order directs that this tranche prioritize metering all unmetered Band A customers and accelerate meter deployment for those in Tariff Band B.
“The commission has further approved the deployment of the sum of NGN28,000,000,000 for Tranche B of the MAF Scheme. These funds shall be allocated in proportion to the respective contributions of the DisCos and are intended to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers while also expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B,” the commission stated.
The directive further stated that the DisCos will deploy ₦28 billion from the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) Tranche B, allocated based on their respective market contributions, for the procurement and installation of meters for unmetered Band A and B customers within their franchise areas.
Under the approved allocation, Ikeja Electric will receive the highest share of ₦5.47 billion, followed by Eko DisCo with ₦4.36 billion, Ibadan DisCo with ₦4.26 billion, and Abuja DisCo with ₦3.31 billion. Yola and Jos DisCos will receive ₦231 million and ₦794 million, respectively.
The commission explained that the initiative aims to fast-track meter deployment, improve service delivery, and curb energy theft and revenue losses across the power sector.
According to the order, all meters procured and installed under the MAF framework will be provided to customers free of charge.
It added that Tranche B builds on the initial ₦21 billion phase, which concluded on June 30, 2025, during which NERC approved meter acquisitions funded through revenues accrued from the national electricity market.
“As of the April 2024 market settlement cycle, the sum of N21.86bn had accrued and was made available for the procurement of meters under the first tranche of the MAF scheme,” the commission noted.
Under the new framework, NERC established strict timelines for meter procurement, delivery, and installation.
The order directs DisCos to commence the procurement process within 10 days of its effective date and to submit their chosen meter providers to the commission for approval within 15 days.
“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, no 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,” it was stated.
