The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved N28bn for electricity distribution companies to fund the second phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme, targeting the free metering of all unmetered Band A customers.
The directive, effective October 6, 2025, is part of the Presidential Metering Initiative to close Nigeria’s seven-million-meter deficit. According to NERC Order No: 2025/10, the funds will also support metering for Band B customers.
The allocation includes Ikeja Electric (N5.47bn), Eko DisCo (N4.36bn), Ibadan DisCo (N4.26bn), Abuja DisCo (N3.31bn), Yola (N231m), and Jos (N794m).
NERC said all meters under this tranche will be provided at no cost to customers. The order mandates DisCos to begin procurement within 10 days and submit selected Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) for approval within 15 days.
After verification, MAPs must deliver all contracted meters within seven days, or risk replacement under a first-come, first-served arrangement. DisCos will receive 60 per cent of payment upon delivery and 40 per cent after verified installation.
The commission warned that any DisCo delaying installations due to internal lapses will face penalties equivalent to the total cost of the uninstalled meters, deducted from its administrative expenditure.
NERC set December 31, 2025, as the completion deadline for all installations under Tranche B.
The MAF was established to mitigate the effects of DisCos’ weak credit profiles, which have limited their access to funding for metering and infrastructure.
NERC said the initiative will enhance service quality, reduce energy theft, and advance accurate billing, noting that as of June 2025, 54.33% of electricity customers were metered nationwide.
