The Federal Government has issued a firm directive to electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and licensed meter installers nationwide, warning that electricity meters must be provided and installed for consumers at no cost — and that any attempt to charge customers will be treated as illegal and punishable. The order aims to protect consumers from extortion and accelerate the rollout of smart metering across Nigeria’s power sector.
Announcing the directive on Monday, February 9, 2026, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, emphasised that all meters procured under the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) have already been paid for by the government — and therefore should not be sold or used as a revenue source by DisCos or third-party installers. He stressed that “electricity meters are not for sale” and that consumers should not be charged for devices or installation.
Under the initiative, the Federal Government plans to import and deploy an estimated 3.4 million smart meters across the country, with the first batches of approximately one million already delivered and being installed in phases. The meters form part of a broader strategy to close Nigeria’s long-standing metering gap, reduce estimated billing practices and improve transparency and accountability in electricity consumption and billing.
Adelabu made the announcement during media engagements and sector briefings in Abuja, where he reiterated that any DisCo official or installer found demanding payment from consumers — whether for meter supply, installation or processing fees — will face prosecution and sanctions under the law. He urged Nigerians to report any such attempts through established complaint mechanisms, promising that perpetrators will be held accountable.
The directive follows ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s power sector that seek to transition from estimated billing systems to prepaid smart meters, which allow consumers to pay only for electricity they use and help reduce long-standing disputes over inaccurate bills. The Federal Government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) have been collaborating to ensure that meters are deployed and replaced free of charge, in line with regulatory mandates and consumer protection policies.
Consumer advocacy groups and experts have generally welcomed the government’s stance, saying free meter issuance and installation can strengthen confidence in the electricity market, improve revenue collection for power operators and reduce contentious billing disputes. They also note that widespread metering is essential for accurate billing, improved service delivery and better sector performance.
However, some DisCos have previously expressed reservations over the free-meter directive, warning that installation and deployment costs could strain their financial positions unless there are clear cost-recovery mechanisms. In response, the Federal Government has emphasised that the meters being deployed under DISREP are funded through concessional support, reducing the need for upfront consumer payments.
The Federal Government’s mandate underscores its commitment to protecting consumers, enhancing transparency and ensuring fair practices within the electricity distribution system. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has positioned the free metering drive as a key reform that could help transform the sector, control costs and improve service outcomes for millions of Nigerians.
Critics and consumer advocates have welcomed the move as a long-awaited step toward ending practices that burden customers with unnecessary costs while encouraging more efficient power usage and stronger regulatory compliance in the electricity industry.
