The warning was issued on Thursday by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, during an on-site inspection of a new shipment of smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa Port, Lagos. The meters were imported under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) and, according to the minister, must be distributed and installed for consumers at no cost.
Adelabu described the free installation policy as non-negotiable, stressing that any demand for payment—whether by DisCo officials or third-party installers—constitutes an offence. He said the government would pursue confirmed cases of extortion, regardless of the status of those involved, and ensure that offenders are prosecuted publicly to deter others.
500,000 new meters arrive under DISREP
The minister expressed satisfaction with the arrival of an additional tranche of about 500,000 smart meters, noting that the shipment forms part of a broader plan to import approximately 3.4 million meters in two phases. Of the first batch of 1.43 million meters, nearly one million have already been received, while close to 150,000 have been installed across the country.
“These meters are to be installed and distributed to consumers free of charge—free of charge,” Adelabu said, emphasising that no electricity customer, regardless of location or tariff band, should pay “a dime” for meter installation.
He explained that the goal of the metering programme is to improve transparency in billing, enhance revenue collection, and ultimately stabilise liquidity in the power sector. According to him, accurate metering would also improve consumers’ willingness to pay for electricity, as estimated billing—long a source of public frustration—would be eliminated.
Push to eliminate estimated billing
Nigeria currently has more than five million electricity customers on estimated billing, a situation Adelabu described as unacceptable and long overdue for resolution. While he acknowledged dissatisfaction with the pace of meter deployment so far, the minister said the latest imports marked a turning point.
“I believe that the journey of completely eliminating the meter gap in the Nigerian power sector has just begun,” he said, adding that within a few years, households, businesses, and institutions would be fully metered.
He described the scale of the programme as unprecedented, saying it was the first time the Federal Government had taken the lead in importing and procuring such a large volume of meters to reform the power sector. “This is like walking the talk,” he said. “This is not just a promise of the tongue.”
Monitoring, complaints, and prosecution
To enforce the free-meter policy, Adelabu said the government would closely track installations and establish multiple channels for consumer complaints. These include the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), state regulatory authorities, and a planned customer complaint desk where consumers can report illegal charges.
He also revealed plans to create a register for unmetered customers, allowing them to submit their details directly. The data will be validated in collaboration with DisCos to address long-standing issues around inaccurate customer records and accelerate installations nationwide.
“We are not leaving the installation to the DisCos alone,” Adelabu said. “There will be an interface between installers and consumers to speed up deployment. Extortion will not be tolerated, and confirmed cases will be dealt with decisively.”
No discrimination across customer bands
The minister stressed that meter distribution would cut across all customer categories, dismissing concerns that the rollout might favour certain tariff bands over others. According to him, Band A, B, and C classifications are temporary tools within a broader reform framework.
“The aggregate meter gap covers all categories of customers. We are not discriminating,” he said. “Meters will be given to all levels of customers, not restricted to a single band.”
He added that the Tinubu administration was addressing a decades-old problem that had undermined liquidity in the power sector, praising what he described as the government’s political will and determination to see the reform through to completion.
Regulators, investors back enforcement
Addressing journalists’ doubts about the feasibility of free meter distribution, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayo Gbeleyi, said the bureau is coordinating DISREP implementation on behalf of the Federal Government and sits on the boards of all 11 DisCos.
Gbeleyi disclosed that NERC would soon issue a new order or circular outlining strict protocols DisCos must follow to guarantee unhindered access for meter installation. He added that deployment is being monitored using dashboards and tracking systems to ensure accountability.
He also noted that the meters are customised for each DisCo, embedded with anti-theft features and configured to operate only within their designated networks, preventing misuse or diversion.
Manufacturers assure rapid deployment
Also speaking, the Chairman of Mojec, Mojisola Abdul, confirmed that nearly 150,000 meters have already been installed nationwide at no cost to consumers. She warned customers not to pay anyone for meter installation, reiterating that such payments are illegal.
Abdul revealed plans for a mobile registration system that would allow customers to sign up for free meters, with installations expected within three days of registration.
Government promises smoother process
Responding to concerns over delays experienced under previous metering schemes, Adelabu acknowledged public skepticism but said the current programme differs fundamentally from past efforts. He cited improved meter availability and the elimination of payment requirements as key advantages.
“We have almost one million meters already and another 1.55 million coming in the second phase,” he said. “We have discussed all existing and foreseeable challenges and already have solutions in place.”
The minister also inspected the National Meter Test Station in Oshodi, where the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency verifies that imported meters meet required technical standards before deployment.
With enforcement measures, regulatory oversight, and increased meter supply now in place, the government says it is confident that estimated billing will soon become a thing of the past, paving the way for a more transparent, reliable, and financially sustainable power sector.