The Federal Government has announced plans to install 750,000 electricity meters across Nigeria in 2027 as part of efforts to reduce the country’s metering gap and improve electricity billing for consumers.
The initiative is expected to support the Presidential Metering Initiative, which seeks to expand access to electricity meters and reduce the number of customers who still depend on estimated billing. The plan was reported on Friday, October 16, by Punch Newspapers.
The metering gap has remained a major concern for electricity consumers, many of whom complain about receiving bills that do not accurately reflect their actual power consumption. Without individual meters, customers may be charged based on estimates provided by electricity distribution companies.
Estimated billing has frequently generated disputes between consumers and electricity providers, particularly when customers believe their bills are too high compared with the electricity they receive.
The planned installation could help improve transparency by allowing households and businesses to monitor their electricity usage and pay according to recorded consumption. It could also help distribution companies obtain better information about electricity demand and improve revenue collection.
For small businesses, including salons, shops, restaurants and offices, accurate metering could make it easier to track electricity expenses and plan monthly budgets.
However, the success of the initiative will depend on how quickly the meters are procured, distributed and installed, as well as whether the government and electricity companies can ensure that the devices remain functional.
The announcement comes as Nigerians continue to demand more reliable electricity supply and fairer billing practices. While installing additional meters could address one part of the problem, consumers will also need improvements in power supply, distribution infrastructure and customer service.
