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The Nigerian Government has prohibited electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and meter installers from collecting any payment from consumers for electricity meters, warning that officials found extorting customers will face prosecution.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, on Thursday during an inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos. The meters were procured under the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) and are to be installed free of charge.
Adelabu said the government would treat any demand for money as an offence. He explained that nearly 500,000 new smart meters had just arrived in Lagos, part of a broader plan to supply approximately 3.4 million meters in two batches. About 150,000 meters have already been installed nationwide.
The minister emphasised that the free installation policy applies to all electricity consumers, regardless of their band, and is aimed at improving billing and collections in the power sector.
Adelabu also expressed confidence that full metering of households, businesses, and institutions would improve payment compliance, liquidity, and transparency in the sector over the next few years.
He noted that the government is committed to tracking the installation process end-to-end and holding DisCo officials accountable for violations.
Ayo Gbeleyi, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, also reiterated that the government is coordinating the rollout of meters across all 11 distribution companies, adding that each meter is specifically configured for a particular DisCo to prevent theft or misuse.
During the visit, Adelabu also inspected the National Meter Test Station in Oshodi, where meters are verified by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency.
