The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved ₦30 billion for free electricity meters for customers who are still without prepaid meters, in the third phase of the country's metering programme. The regulator announced the approval on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, and said all installations under the phase must be completed by 31 May 2027.

The funding comes under Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), part of the Federal Government's Presidential Metering Initiative, which aims to close Nigeria's electricity metering gap and end the disputes caused by estimated billing. NERC set out the approval in Order No. NERC/2026/121 on the Operationalisation of Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund, which took effect on 2 November 2026.

Who will get the free meters first?

According to NERC, the ₦30 billion will be shared among Nigeria's 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in proportion to what each company has contributed to the Meter Acquisition Fund. The money is intended to cover all remaining unmetered Band A customers first, while accelerating meter installations for Band B customers.

The regulator said distribution must be equitable across the states within each DisCo's franchise area, so that installations are not concentrated only in major cities or commercially important locations. Customers who already have working meters will not automatically receive replacements under this tranche, and the approval does not guarantee a meter to every electricity consumer in every service band.

Meters must be free and marked “not for sale”

NERC stressed that every meter supplied and installed under the Meter Acquisition Fund must be provided free of charge to customers. Each meter must prominently display the name of the relevant DisCo, identify the applicable MAF tranche and carry the inscription “not for sale”.

The instruction is designed to stop meters meant for free distribution from being diverted or sold. Customers should be cautious if anyone demands payment for a meter supplied under this programme, and should use their DisCo's official customer service channels for information about installations in their area.

How suppliers will be paid

The order also sets out financial controls for the programme. DisCos must run transparent procurement processes involving eligible Local Meter Manufacturers and Assemblers and Meter Asset Providers with verified meter stock. NERC has prescribed maximum procurement prices based on the median national bid prices from the September 2026 bidding cycle.

Payments to selected providers will be made in two stages: 70 per cent on verified delivery of meter stock and the remaining 30 per cent only after installation has been confirmed as complete. All supply and installation contracts must be filed with the commission, and the Fund Manager, DisCos and participating providers must comply with monitoring, reporting and evaluation requirements.

NERC also ruled that where a DisCo initiates the relocation of a customer's connection point for revenue protection purposes, the distribution company must bear the cost, not the customer.

What happens next

The latest approval builds on earlier funding under the Meter Acquisition Fund. Reports put the earlier tranches at ₦21 billion and ₦28 billion, bringing the total approved across the three tranches to ₦79 billion. NERC said the new order reinforces its commitment to closing the metering gap, improving revenue assurance, enhancing service delivery and protecting consumers.

For households that have relied on estimated bills, the programme offers a route to a prepaid meter without paying for the device. Whether it succeeds will depend on how quickly the 11 DisCos turn the approved funding into meters on walls before the May 2027 deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Are the NERC meters really free? Yes. NERC has stated that all meters supplied and installed under the Meter Acquisition Fund must be provided free of charge, and each meter must be marked “not for sale”.

Who qualifies for a free meter under Tranche C? The funding targets all remaining unmetered Band A customers first, then accelerates metering for Band B customers. Installations depend on each DisCo's procurement and distribution arrangements.

When must installations be completed? All meter installations under Tranche C must be completed on or before 31 May 2027, according to Order No. NERC/2026/121.

Source: Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Order No. NERC/2026/121, announced 10 November 2026.