The metering scandal

Nigeria’s electricity metering crisis indicts successive governments, electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and regulatory agencies that have failed to resolve a basic problem in a sector undergoing reforms for decades. More than six decades after independence and 13 years after privatisation of electricity distribution, millions of Nigerians still cannot verify whether their bills reflect actual consumption. This is shameful for a country aspiring to industrialise, mechanise agriculture and create jobs.

Figures citing the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) show that as of August 2026, Nigeria had 12.75 million active electricity customers, but only 8.05 million had meters. At a national metering rate of 63.10 per cent, approximately 4.7 million customers remained unmetered, exposing more than one-third of consumers to billing arrangements that deny them certainty about what they pay for.

Although 141,746 meters were installed in August, this was 11.4 per cent below July’s 159,980. Kano, Kaduna and Yola DisCos recorded metering rates of 42.84, 42.32 and 39.15 per cent respectively. These figures are unacceptable after repeated government promises to end estimated billing. The declining installation rate also raises questions about the capacity and commitment of those responsible for closing the gap.

Metering is neither a privilege nor a political slogan. Every customer deserves a functioning meter, transparent bills and charges reflecting actual consumption. Without these, disputes will persist, public confidence will erode and the financial relationship between electricity providers and consumers will remain distorted.

The failure is harder to defend given the money and promises invested in successive programmes. The Meter Asset Provider framework, introduced in 2018 under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, sought to engage third-party providers to finance and install meters. In 2020, the government launched the National Mass Metering Programme, backed by a ₦200 billion intervention framework through the Central Bank of Nigeria, to expand coverage, curb estimated billing and encourage local manufacturing.

Yet the gap persisted. Under President Bola Tinubu, a World Bank-backed programme targeted 3.2 million meters through the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme. However, a report in October 2026, citing the World Bank’s implementation report, said only 731,034 had been installed by September, representing 22.8 per cent of the target. With approximately 2.47 million outstanding and a December 2027 deadline, delivery demands urgent scrutiny.

How many meters have successive administrations promised, procured, delivered to warehouses and actually installed? How much public money has been spent, and who is responsible for the delays? These are fundamental accountability questions, not administrative details. The government must publish a consolidated, independently audited account of procurement, delivery, installation and expenditure. Officials and contractors responsible for breached obligations should face appropriate sanctions.

The DisCos must also answer for their performance. They control customer records, distribution networks and much of the installation process. Their financial difficulties, infrastructure deficits and foreign-exchange exposure are genuine, but cannot justify indefinite failure to provide a basic service. Allegations that estimated billing may give some operators incentives to delay metering warrant independent investigation.

NERC must establish whether publicly funded meters remain unused in warehouses and why. Are shortages of accessories, communication equipment, personnel or compatible infrastructure responsible? Are contractual disputes, poor customer data, procurement failures or deliberate obstruction involved? Each explanation must be evidenced and responsibility clearly assigned. Customers must not face unlawful charges or unofficial payments for meters covered by free-installation programmes. The regulator should investigate complaints, enforce existing rules and inform consumers of their rights.

The consequences extend beyond disputed household bills. Manufacturing, mechanised agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises need reliable electricity and predictable costs. Factories cannot plan production efficiently when supply is unreliable and bills unverifiable. Farmers investing in irrigation, cold storage and food processing need dependable power. Businesses already battling inflation, expensive credit and diesel-powered generators cannot thrive amid uncertainty over electricity costs and service quality.

Metering alone will not solve the electricity crisis. It cannot generate more power, repair transmission lines or guarantee uninterrupted supply. But it is essential to accountability because, without accurate measurement, consumers and utilities cannot reliably establish consumption, revenue losses or distribution performance. Industrialisation cannot be pursued credibly while such a basic requirement is neglected.

Nigeria can learn from other countries. India reported 52.8 million smart meters installed nationwide under various schemes by December 2025. Its programme combines public support, utility participation, consumer information and digital tools. Although Nigeria cannot simply replicate India’s model, it can adopt its emphasis on measurable deployment, consumer engagement and accountability.

The Federal Government and NERC should publish a regularly updated dashboard showing meters funded, procured, delivered, installed and functioning, alongside expenditure and contractors’ identities. Also, each DisCo should face binding installation targets, deadlines and meaningful penalties for unjustified delays. Persistent underperformance should trigger investigations and published findings.

Government should support viable local manufacturers through predictable orders, quality standards and financing. Domestic production can reduce import dependence, create jobs and improve access to spare parts. Authorities should install usable meters already in storage before procuring additional supplies and consumers should receive clear information on eligibility, timelines, charges and complaints procedures.

Finally, the proposed Presidential Metering Initiative, scheduled to begin in 2027 with 750,000 meters, must not become another unfulfilled promise.

After decades of reforms, Nigeria has no excuse for treating metering as an intractable problem. Successive governments have made promises, NERC has issued rules, and public funds and development financing have been committed. Yet millions remain unmetered. The Federal Government, regulator, DisCos and implementing agencies should explain where the money went, why targets were missed and what will change.

A country unable to measure electricity consumption reliably cannot claim to have established a sound power sector. Nigerians deserve functioning meters, fair bills and an electricity market that supports production rather than punishes it.