The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has disclosed that more than five million electricity consumers nationwide are still without prepaid meters, forcing them to rely on estimated billing by electricity distribution companies.
According to NERC’s third-quarter 2025 industry report published on its official website, only 6,661,564 of the 12,030,315 registered electricity customers served by the 12 distribution companies were metered as of September 30, 2025. This figure represents a metering coverage of just 55.37 per cent across the country.
The report showed that a total of 228,614 meters were installed nationwide during the third quarter of 2025. Ibadan, Aba and Abuja distribution companies recorded the highest number of installations, accounting for 23.38 per cent, 20.81 per cent and 19.06 per cent of the total meters installed, respectively. This performance reflected a marginal increase of 0.73 per cent compared to the 226,959 meters installed in the second quarter of 2025.
Despite the overall increase, nine distribution companies experienced a decline in meter installations during the period under review. Port Harcourt and Jos DisCos recorded the sharpest drops, with decreases of 62.35 per cent and 61.68 per cent, respectively. On the other hand, Aba DisCo recorded a significant increase of 173.45 per cent, while Abuja and Ibadan DisCos posted gains of 38.28 per cent and 17.72 per cent, respectively.
Under the Meter Asset Provider framework, 176,302 meters were installed during the quarter, accounting for 77.12 per cent of total installations. This represented an 18.20 per cent increase compared to the second quarter of 2025. Ibadan DisCo led installations under the MAP scheme with 53,441 meters, followed by Abuja with 35,449 meters and Benin with 26,690 meters.
Other metering frameworks also contributed to installations during the quarter. Vendor-Financed schemes accounted for 44,104 meters, representing 19.29 per cent of the total. The Distribution Sector Recovery Programme recorded 7,902 installations, equivalent to 3.46 per cent. The Meter Acquisition Fund contributed 175 meters, while DisCo-Financed installations stood at 131 meters, representing 0.08 per cent and 0.06 per cent, respectively.
NERC noted that the Meter Acquisition Fund, which was established in February 2023, permits a metering surcharge within approved electricity tariffs. The commission explained that Tranche B of the fund, which became effective on October 6, 2025, makes available N28 billion to support metering for Band A and Band B customers across the franchise areas of the distribution companies.
The report further highlighted the contribution of the Federal Government-backed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme, which is supported by a $500 million loan from the World Bank. The programme is designed to improve the technical and financial performance of distribution companies while closing the country’s metering gap through the deployment of 3.2 million smart meters. Meter installation under DISREP commenced in May 2025 with Abuja DisCo, and a total of 7,902 meters had been installed by the end of the third quarter of 2025.
NERC said the findings underscore the persistent challenge of unmetered electricity customers in Nigeria, a situation that leaves millions exposed to inconsistent billing practices and underscores the urgent need to accelerate meter deployment nationwide.
