The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to close Nigeria’s electricity metering gap, targeting 3.4 million smart meters under the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP). The latest delivery includes 500,000 units, bringing total shipments closer to one million meters, while about 150,000 units have already been installed nationwide.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, led an on-site inspection of the newly imported meters at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos, stressing that the programme is a central part of ongoing sector reforms aimed at transparency and efficiency.
According to Brandspur Politics, Adelabu emphasised that all meters must be distributed and installed free of charge. He warned that electricity distribution company (DisCo) officials or installers demanding payments from consumers will face prosecution, describing such acts as illegal and punishable.
“The main objective of today’s inspection is to physically verify shipments of smart meters under the DISREP initiative,” Adelabu said. “The Federal Government is importing a total of approximately 3.4 million meters in two batches. The first batch of 1.43 million meters has already seen close to one million delivered, with almost 150,000 installed across distribution companies nationwide.”
The minister linked the widespread rollout of smart meters to improved sector liquidity, better revenue collection, and enhanced electricity market stability. He noted that efficient metering would allow operators to cover energy costs more effectively, improve service delivery, and strengthen power supply reliability.
“When revenue improves, the sector can cover a larger share of energy costs, enhancing operational efficiency, reliability, and stability of electricity supply. This, in turn, will accelerate economic growth and industrial development,” Adelabu added.
The government has described the current metering drive as unprecedented in scale. Consumers are assured that the meters are provided at no cost, reinforcing the commitment to fair access and protection against exploitation.
The DISREP programme is expected to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s estimated seven million-meter deficit, enabling broader economic benefits, improving industrial productivity, and enhancing the reliability of electricity across the country.
