The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has instructed all electricity distribution companies to disclose the refunds issued to customers who bought meters under the Meter Asset Providers scheme. The directive was announced by NERC on its official social media platforms. The commission recently conducted the first Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Stakeholders meeting in 2025.
Under the Meter Asset Providers framework, third-party investors provide and maintain end-use meters as a service, with customers paying metering service charges. NERC regulations mandate that customers who make upfront payments for meters should receive refunds in the form of energy credits from the distribution licensee, following an approved reimbursement schedule.
Consumer groups have raised concerns about the inconsistency of refunds by Discos for customers who acquired meters through the MAP scheme. To enhance transparency and promote customer participation, NERC has mandated that distribution companies publish details of the refunds on their websites.
With a significant number of unmetered customers, the Federal Government is actively working to bridge the metering gap. Efforts are being made to ensure all customers are metered to minimize losses in the sector. The government’s interventions aim to enhance revenue collection, improve cash flow, and facilitate investments in reliability and expanded access to electricity.
The NESI Stakeholders meeting addressed various topics such as tariff methodology, NESI liquidity, market financial evaluation, and the transition to a multi-tier electricity market. These meetings serve as a platform for energy stakeholders to discuss industry developments and address critical issues within the sector.