As Nigeria grapples with an electricity metering deficit affecting 7.4 million consumers, recent data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reveals a 5% increase in meter installations, reaching 179,792 in Q1 2024.
Despite this progress, only 44.78% of the 13.37 million registered consumers have meters, leaving a significant gap. Notably, Ikeja Electric leads in meter provision, followed by Abuja and Eko DisCos.
Acknowledging this challenge, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, emphasizes the unfairness of estimated billing, a system affecting the majority of consumers. To address this, President Bola Tinubu recently approved N12 billion for metering army formations.
Government initiatives, such as the National Mass Metering Programme, aimed to bridge this gap, with World Bank funding for 1.25 million smart meters. However, delays due to disagreements between the government and local manufacturers have hindered progress.
Highlighting the importance of metering, Adetayo Adegbemle from PowerUp Nigeria underscores its role in the power sector's value chain, advocating for comprehensive meter provision.
As Nigeria strives to electrify its economy, bridging the metering gap remains pivotal, ensuring fair billing practices and facilitating efficient energy distribution.
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