FG Bans Metre Charges, Warns DisCos.

 

Metre.

The Federal Government has stopped electricity distribution companies and installers from collecting any payment for prepaid meters, warning that anyone who demands money from customers will face prosecution.

The directive was announced on Thursday in Lagos, January 23, 2026, during an inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa. 

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the meters were bought under the World Bank–supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme and must be given to consumers without cost.

He explained that the meters are meant for all electricity users, no matter their tariff band, and that any request for money before or during installation is against the law. 

According to him, the move is part of efforts to end estimated billing and improve revenue collection in the power sector.

Adelabu said the Federal Government plans to import about 3.4 million meters in two phases. 

He noted that close to one million units have already arrived in the country, while about 150,000 have been installed across different distribution companies. 

Another batch of nearly 500,000 meters has also been received.

He added that the project is aimed at closing the long-standing meter gap and ensuring that homes, offices and institutions are properly metered within the next few years. 

He said this would make billing fairer and encourage more people to pay their electricity bills.

The minister expressed concern about the slow pace of installation and said the government would not leave the process in the hands of distribution companies alone.

 He said monitoring teams, regulators and state authorities would work together to track installations and act on complaints from the public.

Adelabu announced plans to open a customer complaint desk and create a register for unmetered users. 

He said consumers would be able to report any demand for illegal payments, and confirmed cases would lead to public prosecution to discourage others.

He also said the government is working with distribution companies to clean up customer data and improve address records so that meters can be installed faster and in the right locations.

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ayo Gbeleyi, said the bureau is coordinating the programme and that new rules from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission would soon guide meter installation and stop delays by distribution companies. 

He explained that each meter is designed for a specific company and includes anti-theft features.

The Chairman of Mojec, Mojisola Abdul, said nearly 150,000 meters have already been installed free of charge and urged Nigerians not to give money to anyone.

 She added that a mobile registration system is being introduced to allow customers to register and receive their meters within a few days.

During the visit, the minister also inspected the National Meter Test Station in Oshodi, where meters are checked to meet required standards before use.

 Nigeria currently has more than five million customers still on estimated billing.

The Federal Government said it is determined to end illegal charges, protect consumers and build a stable and reliable power sector for the country.