The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has revealed that between 600,000 and 700,000 electricity meters are currently available across the country, urging power distribution companies (DisCos) to intensify efforts in deploying them to customers.
NERC’s Vice Chairman, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, disclosed this during the opening session of the 4th NESI Stakeholders Meeting held in Abuja.
Speaking to operators, regulators, and sector stakeholders, Oseni emphasized that the federal government has already made significant investments to ease metering challenges yet the speed of deployment remains insufficient.
He noted that while the meters are available, DisCos must improve publicity, customer engagement, and rollout efficiency to ensure that consumers benefit from accurate billing and improved transparency.
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While addressing the gathering, Oseni highlighted what he termed a critical “crossroads” for Nigeria’s electricity supply industry. With the transition to State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) now in motion across several states, he cautioned DisCos against resisting oversight from state-level regulators.
He delivered a pointed reminder stating that “No licensee is bigger than their regulator.”
This statement underscored NERC’s insistence on regulatory compliance amid the evolving framework introduced by the Electricity Act (EA) 2023, which decentralizes electricity governance and empowers states to manage their own electricity markets.
Oseni also addressed recent media reports misrepresenting the tenure of NERC Commissioners.
He explained that the so-called “Staggering Principle”—a mechanism designed to ensure continuity among regulators was drawn from the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) and applied only to the pioneer commissioners.
According to him, the Electricity Act now clearly stipulates that subsequent chairmen and commissioners hold fixed 5-year terms, as provided in Section 36(1) of the EA.
Looking ahead as Nigeria works toward a more decentralized electricity market, NERC’s message to DisCos is clear:
Accelerate metering, cooperate with new regulatory structures, and prioritize service delivery.
With available meters waiting to be deployed and reforms reshaping the power landscape, stakeholders agree that decisive action from DisCos will be central to addressing longstanding challenges in metering, billing integrity, and consumer trust across the electricity value chain.
Olusola Akintonde