A new report indicates that Aba Power, Nigeria’s latest entrant into the electricity distribution sector, outperformed all other DisCos in the number of smart meters deployed during 2025. This information comes from an influential electricity consumer advocacy group.
In a post-meeting statement following their first executive session of the year in Abakaliki, the Electricity Consumers of Nigeria (ECAN), South-East zone, revealed that across Nigeria, the 12 DisCos collectively provided 175,302 meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme and an additional 44,104 prepaid meters via vendor-financed programs, up to the third quarter of 2025.
The group’s findings were based on a recent publication by The PUNCH, drawing on data sourced from the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
According to the South-East zonal branch of ECAN, “Aba Power single-handedly supplied over 100,000 smart meters to consumers by the end of September last year.” This announcement was jointly signed by their Chairman, Joe Ubani, and Secretary, Chris Okpara.
“This signifies that Aba Power not only met but exceeded its ambitious 2025 target of deploying 100,000 smart meters. This goal was initially considered by many analysts to be an overly optimistic stretch, almost unattainable,” ECAN stated.
“Even more significantly, the data reveals that despite being the youngest and geographically smallest DisCo in Nigeria, serving only nine of Abia State’s 17 local government areas, Aba Power provided more prepaid meters than the combined total of the other 11 DisCos.”
The other 11 DisCos were formed from the dismantled Power Holding Company of Nigeria and subsequently privatized in November 2013, although the Federal Government retains a 40% equity stake in each.
ECAN further reported that Aba Power facilitated the provision of 122,464 prepaid meters by the close of the previous year through vendor-financed agreements with four metering companies from both China and Nigeria. This total comprised 116,883 single-phase meters and 5,581 three-phase meters, according to the group.
Referencing Aba Power’s Senior Brand and Communication Manager, Edise Ekong, ECAN noted that the company had successfully metered all 122,464 customers connected to 27 feeders in and around Aba, the commercial heart of Abia State.
“We’ve actually increased the number of metered customers to 133,000 since the beginning of this year,” Ekong, also an engineer, stated. “Work is currently ongoing on three feeders – Omoba Feeder, Geometric Feeder, and Polymer Feeder – which are experiencing system challenges. Customers connected to these feeders will be metered once repair and rehabilitation work is completed.”
Aba Power’s remarkable achievements in meter deployment and consistent electricity supply have garnered praise from various stakeholders within the commercial hub.
Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, President General of the Abia Amalgamated Traders Association, attributed renewed investor confidence in the state to Aba’s emerging reputation as the Nigerian city with the most reliable power supply.
He stated, “Investors involved in projects like the 12-story Marriott Hotel in GRA Aba or the Enyimba Economic City would likely not be responding so positively to Governor Alex Otti’s investment drive if the electricity situation hadn’t been significantly improved.”
Similarly, Leo Emesirim, President General of the Aba Landlords Protection and Development Association, informed journalists that “Aba is poised to reclaim its rightful position as Nigeria’s center for indigenous manufacturing, thanks to the constant and high-quality power supply.
“The Abia State government recognizes the critical importance of electricity and is working closely with Aba Power and the people of Abia to elevate the state to a new level.”
