Nigeria is set to receive a significant delivery of pre-paid meters, with 1.3 million units expected by December 2024, according to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. This initiative is part of the Federal Government’s plan to close the seven million meter gap and promote transparency in electricity billing. By the second quarter of 2025, the full delivery of these meters will be completed.
At the Nigeria Energy Summit in Lagos, Adelabu emphasized that over 13 million customers exist, yet only five million have proper metering. This leaves more than seven million relying on estimated billing, a practice he condemned as fraudulent. To fix this, the government, along with the Nigeria Governors Forum and state governments, launched the Presidential Metering Initiative, backed by the World Bank’s Distribution Sector Reform Programme.
The government has already secured 1.3 million pre-paid meters, with contracts signed and payments completed. The first phase of pre-paid meters will arrive in December, followed by the second phase in 2025. This influx aims to improve billing efficiency and reduce disputes between consumers and power distribution companies.
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Ripple effect of proper metering
Adelabu expects these reforms to boost the power sector’s revenue, increasing it from N1tn in 2023 to N2tn in 2024. In addition, he also highlighted the potential to generate N5tn annually . This would be done by redirecting funds spent on diesel and petrol used for independent power generation. Furthermore, this shift would enhance infrastructure and improve liquidity across the sector.
Moreover, an integrated national electricity policy will be submitted to the Federal Executive Council in the coming weeks. This policy focuses on local content, competency, and human capacity development, all vital for the sector’s growth.
Nigeria’s power sector is set for significant progress by December with these changes and millions of pre-paid meters arriving soon,.
