The federal government is stepping up efforts to tackle Nigeria’s power metering crisis, announcing plans to roll out over 3.2 million electricity meters through 2026 — a move expected to benefit millions of households and small businesses grappling with estimated billing.
According to a statement released Sunday by Bolaji Tunji, spokesperson for the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the first batch of 75,000 meters under the International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1) is expected to arrive in April 2025, followed by 200,000 meters in May.
The rollout forms part of the Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP) and the newly established ₦700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) — two major interventions designed to significantly reduce the country’s metering deficit and bring transparency to electricity consumption and billing.
While many Nigerians — particularly small businesses — remain burdened by erratic billing and unreliable supply, the government says the picture is not as grim as often portrayed. As of December 2024, over 5.5 million electricity users (55% of active users) had already been metered, with 572,050 new meters installed in 2024 alone.
“The focus should be on the execution of these well-structured plans rather than a blanket critique that overlooks the real progress being made,” the statement said.
The DISREP initiative targets 3,205,101 meters through various procurement channels, including:
- 1,437,501 meters via ICB1
- 217,600 meters via National Competitive Bid (NCB)
- 1,550,000 meters via ICB2
Additionally, under the PMI, the government aims to deploy 2 million meters annually for the next five years, with the first procurement process expected by Q3 2025. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been created to oversee its implementation.
For SMEs and entrepreneurs, this development could not come at a better time. With clearer billing and fewer disputes, businesses can better forecast expenses, cut losses from estimated bills, and improve operations.
Experts believe that if well-executed, the initiative will not only reduce the metering gap but also help restore trust in the power sector — a critical enabler for small business growth.
