Nigeria’s electricity metering initiative experienced a modest enhancement in August 2025, with the national metering ratio rising from 54.71 percent in July to 55.01 percent, based on the latest figures unveiled by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
The regulatory body further revealed that the tally of metered customers across the nation climbed to an impressive 6,579,818 in August, up from 6,508,611 in July, amidst a total active customer entourage of 11,960,101. The overall count of active customers also saw a slight increase from 11,897,246 in July, illustrating a gradual advancement in electricity accessibility and billing scope.
These newly released statistics were encapsulated in NERC’s Metering Factsheet for July and August 2025, shared via its official X platform on Monday. The regulator stated that the heightened metering statistics signify ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing billing transparency and amplifying revenue collection.
Earlier on Monday, The PUNCH highlighted that power distribution firms augmented their revenue collection by approximately 43 percent in the first eight months of 2025, amassing ₦1.5 trillion, compared to ₦1.05 trillion during the same timeframe in 2024.
In the most recent fact sheet, NERC disclosed that 70,888 new customers were metered in August, a decrease from 76,783 in July. Among the 12 distribution companies, Ikeja Electric and Eko Electricity Distribution Company upheld the premier metering rates at 84.83 percent and 84.25 percent, respectively, with Abuja DisCo closely trailing at 73.92 percent.
Other distribution companies exhibited varied advancement. Aba Power surged from 54.59 percent to 60.39 percent, Ibadan DisCo attained 50.54 percent, while Port Harcourt DisCo remained relatively stable at 61.29 percent.
Nevertheless, metering coverage in the northern and mid-belt regions lingered at disappointing levels. Jos, Yola, and Kaduna DisCos recorded metering rates of 29.61 percent, 28.65 percent, and 33.60 percent, respectively, considerably below the national average. Overall, eight of the twelve DisCos achieved metering rates above 50 percent, spearheaded by Ikeja (84.83 percent), Eko (84.25 percent), Abuja (73.92 percent), Port Harcourt (61.29 percent), Aba (60.39 percent), Ibadan (50.54 percent), Benin (50.78 percent), and Enugu (46.79 percent).
NERC emphasized that metering is essential for precise billing and enhanced revenue collection, urging DisCos to hasten meter installations, especially in underperforming areas.
Recently, the commission sanctioned an allocation of ₦28 billion to electricity distribution companies for the second phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund initiative. This fund is intended to facilitate the metering of all outstanding Band A customers at no cost, aligning with the Presidential Metering Initiative designed to bridge Nigeria’s estimated seven-million-meter shortfall.
The directive, encapsulated in NERC Order No. 2025/10 — Order on the Operationalization of Tranche B of the Meter Acquisition Fund, became effective on October 6, 2025, and was signed by NERC Vice Chairman Dr. Musiliu Oseni and Commissioner for Legal, Licensing, and Compliance Dafe Akpeneye.
It further mandated that DisCos must utilize these funds for the procurement and installation of meters for unmetered Band A and B customers within their respective franchise territories.
In April 2025, the commission penalized eight DisCos—including Abuja, Ikeja, Eko, Enugu, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola—for infringing monthly energy caps imposed on estimated billing for unmetered customers. The companies faced a cumulative fine of ₦628 million and were instructed to issue credit adjustments to all impacted customers.
