By David Akinmola
Nigeria’s electricity metering rate rose to 56 per cent in October 2025, reflecting steady progress in closing the long-standing metering gap across the power sector, according to data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The regulator said the improvement was driven largely by sustained deployment under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) and increased investment by electricity distribution companies (DisCos), as regulatory pressure mounts to curb estimated billing and improve revenue assurance.
Industry data indicate that more than half of registered electricity customers are now metered, compared with about 47 per cent a year earlier, marking one of the strongest annual gains in recent years. NERC noted that the pace of metering has accelerated despite ongoing challenges around foreign exchange volatility, supply chain constraints and funding costs.
Analysts say the rising metering rate is critical to improving efficiency in the electricity value chain, as accurate billing enhances customer trust, reduces disputes and strengthens the financial position of DisCos. Improved cash flow, they add, is essential for meeting market obligations and sustaining investments in network upgrades.
NERC reiterated that metering remains a regulatory priority, stressing that DisCos are expected to comply fully with the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework and other approved schemes aimed at achieving near-universal metering in the medium term.
The commission also linked improved metering to broader power sector reforms, noting that transparency in billing is key to attracting private capital and reducing losses across the industry. However, it acknowledged that millions of customers remain unmetered, underscoring the scale of work still required.
Stakeholders say sustaining the momentum will depend on access to affordable financing, local meter manufacturing capacity and consistent regulatory enforcement, especially as electricity tariffs become increasingly cost-reflective.
With Nigeria targeting higher generation and distribution efficiency, NERC said further progress on metering will be central to stabilising the power market and improving service delivery to consumers nationwide.
