Unmetered Band A and Band B electricity customers across Nigeria are expected to benefit from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) ₦30 billion programme to provide free prepaid electricity meters.
Under the initiative, eligible customers will not be required to pay for the meters or their installation, as electricity distribution companies (DisCos) are responsible for supplying and installing the devices.
However, NERC has not introduced a specific application portal, registration process or application form for customers seeking to benefit from the programme.
The initiative is part of the third tranche of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), introduced through NERC Order No. NERC/2026/121, which took effect on November 2, 2026.
What Band A Customers Should Know
For Band A customers who are yet to receive prepaid meters, the order provides for the metering of all remaining unmetered consumers in the category.
This means distribution companies are expected to ensure that customers under Band A who are still relying on estimated billing are covered by the metering programme.
What Band B Customers Should Know
Band B customers are also included in the initiative, with NERC directing electricity distribution companies to accelerate meter installations for consumers in the category.
However, the commission did not guarantee that every unmetered Band B customer would receive a meter immediately.
Who Will Provide And Install The Free Meters?
The responsibility for supplying and installing the meters rests with Nigeria’s 11 electricity distribution companies.
The companies are expected to conduct transparent procurement processes involving eligible Local Meter Manufacturers and Assemblers (LMMAs) and Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) with verified meter stocks.
NERC also directed the distribution companies to ensure that meter distribution is fair across the different states within their operational areas.
Do Customers Need To Apply Or Register?
One important detail in the NERC order is that it does not establish an individual application process, registration portal or application form for customers.
Instead, the distribution companies are expected to manage the procurement, distribution and installation process.
Customers should therefore follow official announcements from their respective electricity distribution companies for information about when installations will take place in their areas.
Will Customers Pay For The Meters?
No. NERC has made it clear that meters provided under the programme must be free.
Customers are not expected to pay for either the meters or their installation.
To prevent the sale of the devices, the commission directed that every meter supplied under the initiative must carry the name of the relevant distribution company, the applicable funding tranche and the inscription “NOT FOR SALE”.
When Will The Free Meter Installation End?
NERC has given electricity distribution companies until May 31, 2027, to complete all installations under the third tranche of the Meter Acquisition Fund.
The commission will monitor implementation through reporting and evaluation requirements involving the Fund Manager, distribution companies and participating meter providers.
Additional Protection For Electricity Customers
The order also provides protection against additional expenses when a distribution company relocates customers’ connection points for revenue protection purposes.
In such circumstances, the distribution company is required to bear the relocation costs rather than transfer the financial burden to customers.
For now, the major takeaway for unmetered Band A and Band B electricity consumers is that they are covered by the free metering initiative, but the timing of installation will depend on how their respective distribution companies implement the programme.
