The Federal Government has prohibited electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and installers from demanding any form of payment for meters, warning that officials caught extorting customers will face prosecution.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued the directive on Thursday during an inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos.
Adelabu explained that the meters were procured under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) and must be installed free of charge. He stressed that any request for money from consumers would be treated as a criminal offence.
Welcomed at the Apapa Port Command of the Nigerian Customs Service by Area Controller Emmanuel Oshoba, Adelabu expressed delight at the arrival of another tranche of 500,000 smart meters under DISREP.
“I want to mention that it is unprecedented that these meters are to be installed and distributed to consumers free of charge—free of charge! Nobody should collect money from any consumer. It is an illegality.
“It is an offence for the officials of distribution companies across Nigeria to request a dime before installation; even the indirect installers cannot ask consumers for a dime. It has to be installed free of charge so that billings and collections will improve for the sector.”
Eliminating the Meter Gap
Adelabu explained that the programme aims to close Nigeria’s long-standing metering deficit.
“The main objective of coming here today is to carry out a physical on-site inspection of shipments of smart meters that the Federal Government has imported under the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.
“This programme is supporting the Federal Government to import a total of about 3.4 million meters in two batches; the first batch is 1.43 million meters, out of which we have received close to about a million meters. Currently, almost 150,000 meters have already been installed across all distribution companies in the country.
“And what we have today is close to 500,000 meters that we just received. They are all smart meters, and I believe that the journey of completely eliminating the meter gap in the Nigerian power sector has just begun.”
Although dissatisfied with the pace of metering, Adelabu expressed optimism that within a few years, every household, business, and institution would be fully metered, noting that this would make billing more transparent and fair, while boosting liquidity in the sector.
“I’m quite excited and elated with what’s happening because it’s unprecedented. This is the first time in the history of this country that a government will be importing and locally buying this number of meters to ensure that the power sector is completely transformed.
“This is like walking the talk. Our target reform in the sector is not just verbal. Nigerians can see that this is real; it’s not just a promise of the tongue.”
Zero Tolerance for Extortion
Adelabu reiterated that meter installation is free and warned against extortion: “We said it is free. We are not saying this behind closed doors. We are telling Nigerians that the distribution and installation of these meters in every location is free of charge, and it is declared an offence—an illegality—for any DisCo official or installer to request money from the beneficiaries of these meters. We will track and monitor this installation. We also await tip-offs.”
He announced plans for a customer complaint desk to report illegal demands, adding that confirmed cases of extortion would be prosecuted and publicised to deter others.
“Extortion is not allowed, but there must be confirmed cases of such extortion, and the officials involved—no matter how high—will be prosecuted. It will be publicised and serve as a deterrent to others with similar intentions.
“We will not allow that. This is a government effort, and no activity of a DisCo or installer should frustrate government efforts to ensure that life is made easy for Nigerians and that we have a stable, reliable, and functional power sector.”
Inclusive Distribution
Adelabu emphasised that the initiative covers all categories of electricity users: “The aggregate meter gap covers all categories of customers. We are not discriminating. We are prioritising every Nigerian, every customer, and every electricity user.
“The issue of Band A, Band B, or Band C is temporary; it is our systematic way of ensuring this reform reaches everyone. The meters will be given to all levels of customers and not restricted to a single band. I am committing to that.”
The minister also visited the National Meter Test Station in Oshodi, where the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency ensures meters meet required standards.
Nigeria currently has over five million customers under estimated billing, a situation the government is determined to end.
