Government targets end to estimated billing as metering rollout continues nationwide….
The Federal Government says 668,000 electricity meters have so far been installed for customers across Nigeria under the first phase of the World Bank-backed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday following the second 2026 meeting of the National Council on Privatisation, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, said the metering drive is part of ongoing efforts to close Nigeria’s electricity metering gap and end arbitrary estimated billing for registered electricity consumers.
According to him, 1.033 million meters have been delivered under Phase 1 of the $500 million programme, with 668,000 already deployed and installed at customers’ premises.
“On various issues, we provided updates on meter deployment under Phase 1 of the World Bank-financed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme. We have implemented 60 percent of the meters that have been delivered in the country out of 1,033,000. So far, we have deployed and installed 668,000 meters on customers’ premises,” he said.
Gbeleyi also provided an update on the implementation of the Electricity Act, particularly the transfer of regulatory responsibilities from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to state-level regulators.
He said about 17 states had established their own electricity regulatory commissions since April 2024, with Akwa Ibom becoming the latest state to establish its commission in July.
The BPE chief acknowledged that some aspects of the Electricity Act require further clarification and adjustments.
He said the National Council on Privatisation had directed key stakeholders, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Power, Special Adviser to the President on Power, Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, NERC and the BPE, to work together on proposed amendments to harmonise the implementation of the law.
“We are engaging in that regard,” he said.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the council was working to ensure Nigerians receive better value from electricity and other critical sectors of the economy.
“We are working concertedly and in a very collaborative manner to ensure that we give value, either in electricity or in telecoms—whichever area—to make sure that Nigerians benefit from this government,” Tegbe said.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney-General of the Federation’s representative, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as private-sector members of the council.
