NERC: Over 5.1 Million Electricity Consumers Remain Unmetered
By Glory Johnson
More than 5 million Nigerian electricity consumers remain without prepaid meters despite slight improvements in national metering rates, NERC says.
More than 5.1 million electricity consumers in Nigeria are still without prepaid meters, according to new data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), highlighting the continuing challenge of estimated billing across the country’s power sector.
NERC disclosed in its January and February 2026 Metering Factsheet that only 7.21 million out of Nigeria’s 12.31 million active electricity customers had been metered as of February 2026, leaving approximately 41 per cent of consumers without prepaid meters.
The report showed a marginal improvement in the national metering rate, which rose from 57.93 per cent in January to 58.57 per cent in February, following the installation of 121,798 new meters during the month.
The figures underscore ongoing concerns among consumers over estimated billing, which has remained one of the most contentious issues in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Among the country’s electricity distribution companies, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company recorded one of the strongest performances with a metering rate of 79.37 per cent in February.
Meanwhile, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko Disco) and Ikeja Electric posted some of the highest metering levels nationwide, recording 87.62 per cent and 87.16 per cent respectively.
In the South-South region, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company achieved a metering rate of 66.36 per cent, while Benin, Ibadan, and Enugu distribution companies recorded 56.75 per cent, 52.23 per cent, and 51.83 per cent respectively.
However, the report showed that several northern distribution companies continue to lag behind in metering coverage.
Yola Electricity Distribution Company recorded the lowest metering rate nationwide at 31.86 per cent, followed by Jos Disco at 34.04 per cent, Kano Disco at 35.37 per cent, and Kaduna Disco at 35.59 per cent.
NERC’s data also revealed variations in the pace of new meter installations during the period. Abuja Disco reportedly added 18,352 new meters in February, while Benin Disco and Ibadan Disco installed 25,658 and 16,445 meters respectively.
Industry analysts say the persistent metering gap continues to affect consumer confidence in the electricity market, particularly as households and businesses complain about estimated billing and rising energy costs.
Consumer advocacy groups have repeatedly called for accelerated meter deployment under the government’s national metering initiatives, arguing that wider prepaid meter access would improve transparency, reduce billing disputes, and strengthen revenue collection within the power sector.
The metering challenge remains a major issue in Nigeria’s electricity reform agenda as regulators and operators seek to improve efficiency, customer trust, and service delivery across the country.
