The Federal Government has drawn a firm line against electricity meter extortion, announcing a blanket ban on all charges associated with meter installation and warning that violators will face prosecution.
The directive was issued on Thursday by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, during an inspection of a fresh consignment of smart electricity meters at APM Terminals, Apapa Port, Lagos. Adelabu stressed that the meters, procured under the World Bank–supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), are to be distributed and installed for consumers at no cost.
According to the minister, any official of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) or third-party installers who demand payment—directly or indirectly—will be committing a criminal offence.
“These meters must be installed free of charge. Nobody, no matter the level, is allowed to collect a dime from any Nigerian,” Adelabu said. “Any request for money, whether by DisCo officials or installers, is illegal and will attract sanctions.”
The minister, who was received by the Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Port Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, expressed satisfaction with the arrival of another 500,000 smart meters, describing the development as a major step towards closing Nigeria’s long-standing metering gap.
He explained that the DISREP initiative targets the importation of about 3.4 million meters in two phases.
Of the first batch of 1.43 million meters, nearly one million units have already arrived in the country, with about 150,000 installed nationwide.
“What we have received today is close to 500,000 meters, and they are all smart meters,” Adelabu said. “This marks the beginning of the complete elimination of the meter gap in the Nigerian power sector, although I must say the pace of installation still needs to improve.”
The minister assured that the meters would be allocated to electricity consumers across all tariff bands, dismissing concerns that distribution would be restricted to premium Band A customers.
“There will be no discrimination. Every customer—households, businesses and institutions—will be metered. The band system is temporary and will not exclude anyone from benefiting from this programme,” he said.
Adelabu expressed optimism that full metering would improve transparency, fairness and confidence in electricity billing, leading to better revenue collection and improved liquidity in the power sector.
He described the initiative as an unprecedented intervention by the Federal Government.
“This is not talk. Nigerians can see that this reform is real. For the first time, the government is importing and supporting the local purchase of millions of meters to transform the power sector,” he said.
To ensure compliance, the minister said the government would closely monitor the installation process, establish customer complaint desks and encourage whistleblowing.
He added that both the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and state electricity regulators would play active roles in enforcement.
“We are tracking this end-to-end. Any confirmed case of extortion will lead to prosecution, and it will be publicised to serve as a deterrent,” Adelabu warned.
He also revealed plans to create a national register for unmetered customers to fast-track installations, while addressing data and address discrepancies in collaboration with DisCos.
Supporting the minister’s position, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayo Gbeleyi, said the bureau was coordinating the implementation of DISREP and monitoring DisCos’ compliance through real-time dashboards and trackers.
Gbeleyi disclosed that NERC would soon issue fresh directives outlining mandatory protocols DisCos must follow to grant unhindered access for meter installation.
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He also explained that each meter is configured specifically for a particular DisCo, with anti-theft technology embedded.
Chairman of meter manufacturer Mojec, Mojisola Abdul, confirmed that nearly 150,000 meters had already been installed free of charge and urged Nigerians not to pay anyone for meters.
“If you register today, your meter can be installed within three days,” she said, adding that the initiative would enhance revenue generation and power supply efficiency.
Responding to public scepticism due to past experiences, Adelabu acknowledged earlier challenges but insisted the new programme had addressed them.
“The volume of meters is now sufficient, and installation is strictly free. All the complications of the past have been resolved,” he said.
The minister later visited the National Meter Test Station in Oshodi, where the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency tests meters for quality and accuracy.
Nigeria currently has more than five million electricity customers on estimated billing, a situation the government says it is determined to end.