The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has approved N30bn for the third phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund, MAF, to accelerate the installation of electricity meters for unmetered Band A customers and expand coverage among Band B consumers.
The commission has also directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to complete all meter installations under the programme by May 31, 2027, warning that customers must not be charged for meters provided through the initiative.
NERC disclosed this in Order No. NERC/2026/121 on the Operationalisation of Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund, which took effect on November 2, 2026. The commission announced the order in a post on its official X handle on Tuesday.
According to the order, the approved N30bn will be distributed among the 11 electricity distribution companies in proportion to their respective contributions to the fund.
The funding will cover all remaining unmetered Band A customers while accelerating meter installations for Band B consumers, with equitable distribution across states within each DisCo’s franchise area.
The latest funding is part of the Federal Government’s Presidential Metering Initiative, which seeks to bridge Nigeria’s electricity metering gap, protect consumers from estimated billing and improve accountability in the power distribution system.
Under the arrangement, distribution companies are required to conduct transparent procurement exercises involving eligible local meter manufacturers and assemblers, as well as Meter Asset Providers with verified meter stocks.
NERC said it had prescribed maximum procurement prices based on the median national bid prices submitted by Meter Asset Providers during the September 2026 bidding cycle.
The commission also introduced a two-stage payment arrangement to ensure accountability and confirm delivery and installation before full payment is made.
Under the arrangement, 70 per cent of contract payments will be released after verification of delivered meter stocks, while the remaining 30 per cent will be paid after the successful installation of the meters has been confirmed.
The regulator reiterated that all meters supplied and installed under the fund must be provided free of charge to consumers, warning distribution companies and their agents against selling them.
It further directed that every meter supplied under the programme must prominently display the name of the relevant DisCo, the applicable MAF tranche and the inscription, “NOT FOR SALE”.
The order also addressed the relocation of existing customer connection points for revenue protection purposes, directing that where a DisCo initiates such relocation, it must bear the associated cost.
NERC also prescribed sanctions for distribution companies whose defaults obstruct or delay meter installations, reinforcing their responsibility to implement the programme within the stipulated timeframe.
To prevent diversion of funds and ensure effective implementation, the commission introduced monitoring, reporting and evaluation requirements for the Fund Manager, distribution companies and participating meter providers.
It also directed that all supply and installation contracts executed under Tranche C be submitted to the commission.
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