The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that between 600,000 and 700,000 electricity meters are currently available for deployment across the country, urging electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to accelerate their rollout to consumers.
NERC’s Vice Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni, disclosed this on Tuesday in his opening address at the 4th NESI Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja. The update was also shared on the Commission’s official X handle.
Dr Oseni emphasised that the government has already invested heavily in metering and expects DisCos to intensify public awareness and distribution efforts.
“There are currently 600,000 to 700,000 meters available in the country. Utilities must improve publicity. The government has made the investment, so the DisCos need to step up”, he said.
Addressing operators, regulators, and industry stakeholders, the Vice Chairman outlined persisting challenges in the power sector and underscored the need for strengthened collaboration, especially with the newly emerging State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.
He cautioned operators against disregarding regulatory authority, stressing that “no licencee is bigger than their regulator.”
Dr Oseni also clarified recent media reports that misrepresented the tenure of NERC Commissioners. He explained that the “Staggering Principle” in Section 36 of the Electricity Act applied only to the pioneer Commission under the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), noting that subsequent Chairmen and Commissioners now serve five-year terms, as clearly stated in Section 36(1) of the Act.
The 4th NESI Stakeholders Meeting convened industry leaders to review sector reforms, evaluate performance gaps, and chart pathways to improved service delivery in Nigeria’s power sector.
