The Federal Government has ordered electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and meter installers to provide smart meters to all customers free of charge, warning that any attempt to demand payment will be treated as a criminal offence.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, during an inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos. The meters, procured under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), are aimed at closing the nationwide meter gap, improving billing transparency, and boosting revenue collection across Nigeria’s power sector.
Adelabu stressed that the meters must be installed without payment. “It is an offence for any DisCo official or installer to request a dime from customers before installation. These meters are free of charge,” he said, urging consumers to report any extortion attempts. The minister also assured that the government would closely monitor installations and set up customer complaint desks to enforce compliance.
A total of 500,000 new meters have just arrived, supplementing the 1.43 million meters in the first batch, with about 150,000 already installed nationwide. Each meter is configured specifically for its designated DisCo, featuring embedded anti-theft protocols to prevent misuse.
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ayo Gbeleyi, emphasized that protocols are being implemented to ensure unhindered access for installers and timely deployment. Meanwhile, Mojisola Abdul, Chairman of Mojec, confirmed that meters installed so far are free and part of efforts to enhance electricity supply and revenue generation.
Adelabu reassured Nigerians that this initiative represents a historic intervention in the power sector, designed to eliminate estimated billing and improve sector liquidity. He encouraged all electricity customers to register for meter installation to benefit from the program.
The program targets more than five million households and businesses currently without meters, signaling a significant step toward a modern, transparent, and functional power sector.
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