5.36 Million Electricity Customers Still Without Meters — NERC
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed that about 5.36 million electricity customers across the country remain unmetered, leaving them exposed to the controversial and unpredictable estimated billing system used by electricity distribution companies (DisCos).
The disclosure was contained in NERC’s latest industry data, which highlighted persistent gaps in metering despite ongoing efforts to close the deficit through various intervention programmes.
According to the regulator, the lack of meters continues to generate complaints from consumers who accuse DisCos of overbilling under the estimated billing regime. NERC noted that estimated billing undermines transparency and erodes trust between electricity consumers and service providers.
The commission reiterated that metering all customers remains a key priority, stressing that accurate billing based on actual consumption is essential for fairness, efficiency and improved revenue collection in the power sector.
NERC said initiatives such as the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) were introduced to address the metering shortfall, but progress has been slowed by funding constraints, supply chain challenges and operational issues faced by DisCos.
Consumer advocacy groups have repeatedly called on the regulator to enforce stricter sanctions against DisCos that fail to meter customers within approved timelines, arguing that estimated billing places undue financial pressure on households and small businesses.
NERC assured electricity users that it will continue to monitor DisCos’ compliance with metering regulations and enforce penalties where necessary, while encouraging customers to report cases of overbilling.
The metering gap remains one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria’s power sector, alongside supply shortages and infrastructure deficits, as the country seeks to improve electricity access and service delivery.
