ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has officially moved to end the era of estimated billing in Nigeria by mandating the free distribution and installation of prepaid smart meters to all unmetered customers nationwide.
“Do Not Pay Any Installer” – Minister Warns
Speaking during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on February 5, 2026, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, declared that the Federal Government has already covered the costs of the meters and their installation. He explicitly warned electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and third-party installers against extorting Nigerians.
“The meters and the accessories are 100% free,” the Minister stated. “Any DisCo official or technician who demands money before installing these meters is committing a crime and will face the full weight of the law.”
The $500 Million World Bank Initiative
This massive rollout is powered by the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), a $500 million project funded by the World Bank. The programme aims to bridge the 5.66 million metering gap in Nigeria.
- Target: 3.2 million smart meters over the next four years.
- Current Status: Over 700,000 meters have already arrived in the country, with 200,000 already installed across various regions.
- The Goal: To ensure every Nigerian pays only for the electricity they actually consume, improving transparency and trust in the power sector.
How the Free Distribution Works
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) clarified that while there are still paid options for those who want “express” installation (via the MAP scheme), the DISREP meters are being deployed systematically by DisCos to unmetered neighborhoods.
- Identify the Meter: DISREP-funded meters are marked with a specific inscription identifying them as government-funded and free.
- No Application Needed: DisCos are targeting unmetered areas phase-by-phase. However, customers are encouraged to contact their local DisCo office to ensure their premises are captured in the current rollout.
DisCos Response and Challenges
While some DisCos expressed concerns regarding the logistics of such a massive free rollout, the Director General of the BPE, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, emphasized that the costs are being recovered through long-term regulatory frameworks, not from the pockets of citizens. DisCos have also been authorized to use up to 20% of the new stock to replace faulty or obsolete meters for existing customers.