The Federal Government is set to take delivery of the first batch of 3,205,101 prepaid meters in April 2025 as part of efforts to close the metering gap in the country, according to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. This initiative, which comes after years of challenges in the power sector, is part of the ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s electricity metering system and ensure fair billing for power consumers.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu outlined the details of the delivery schedule. The first batch, consisting of 75,000 meters under the International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1), is expected to arrive in April, followed by a second batch of 200,000 meters in May 2025. This is just the beginning of the planned delivery of millions of meters to bridge the significant metering gap in the country.
The Nigerian power sector has long struggled with the issue of inadequate metering, which has led to widespread challenges such as estimated billing, overcharging, and a lack of trust between electricity consumers and the distribution companies (DisCos). The government acknowledges that while there have been significant strides in addressing these challenges, the road ahead remains long.
“Despite the challenges, the facts tell a more balanced story – one of sustained effort, financial commitment, and structured implementation plans by the Federal Government of Nigeria to close the metering gap,” Adelabu’s statement read.
As of December 2024, Nigeria had successfully installed meters for 5,502,460 out of 10,114,060 active electricity customers in the country, representing about 55 percent of the total. In 2024 alone, over 572,000 meters were installed, marking a significant improvement from previous years. Although the government admits that there is still a substantial metering gap, it believes that the progress made so far should not be overlooked.
The Minister also emphasized that Nigeria’s power sector, despite facing challenges, is progressing steadily in terms of meter installations. The government’s long-term commitment to addressing this issue is reflected in its plans to install two million meters annually for the next five years. To ensure this goal is met, the government is utilizing various procurement models and financing mechanisms, such as the Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP) and the ₦700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI).
The DISREP initiative, aimed at providing 3,205,101 meters by 2026, is one of the key efforts to tackle Nigeria’s metering issue. This initiative involves different procurement strategies, including 1,437,501 meters under ICB1, 217,600 meters through the National Competitive Bid (NCB), and another 1,550,000 meters through the International Competitive Bid 2 (ICB2).
Adelabu noted that while the delivery of the first batch of meters is imminent, the full-scale implementation of these plans will take several years. The first batch under the ICB1 process, with 75,000 meters, is expected to be deployed by April 2025, while the second batch of 200,000 meters will be delivered in May 2025.
The ₦700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), funded through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), also plays a pivotal role in accelerating the distribution of meters across Nigeria. This initiative aims to ensure large-scale meter procurement and deployment and has set the ambitious goal of deploying two million meters annually for the next five years.
“With this initiative, we are making significant progress towards achieving our metering targets. We will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure that these targets are met and that the citizens of Nigeria benefit from a more reliable and transparent power sector,” Adelabu added.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been established to oversee the implementation of the PMI, ensuring that the project is executed efficiently and with transparency. The government plans to release the tender for the first batch of two million meters by the third quarter of 2025, signaling the start of large-scale meter procurement under the PMI.
The Minister reassured the public that despite the ongoing metering gap, the government’s structured interventions, such as DISREP and PMI, would significantly improve the metering landscape before the end of 2025. He emphasized that while the metering challenges are real, the narrative that it will take decades to resolve is inaccurate.
“With the ongoing initiatives and interventions, Nigeria’s metering situation is set to improve significantly before the end of this year. The current pace of deployment is set to increase, and we are committed to ensuring that all Nigerians, regardless of their location, have access to accurate and fair billing through the installation of prepaid meters,” Adelabu stated.
The government’s commitment to closing the metering gap is seen as an essential step in improving the power sector’s efficiency and transparency. Prepaid meters are crucial for reducing electricity theft, addressing estimated billing, and providing customers with greater control over their energy usage and payments.
In addition to improving metering infrastructure, the government is also focused on stabilizing the power sector by addressing other challenges, including grid reliability, generation capacity, and distribution. By tackling these issues, the administration aims to create a more sustainable and efficient power sector that can support economic growth and meet the energy needs of the population.
The arrival of the first batch of 3.2 million meters is a significant step forward, but there is still much work to be done. Nigerians will be hoping that the government’s efforts to bridge the metering gap will translate into more reliable electricity services and improved customer satisfaction across the country.
Nigeria’s power sector has long been plagued by challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, poor metering, and unreliable supply. Despite these challenges, the sector has shown signs of improvement in recent years, with the government implementing various reforms and initiatives aimed at improving power generation, transmission, and distribution.
The introduction of prepaid meters is considered a crucial part of these reforms, as it offers a more transparent and equitable way of billing electricity consumers. The government’s efforts to close the metering gap are expected to contribute to the overall improvement of the power sector, which is essential for the economic development of Nigeria.
