FG Secures N700 Billion for Mass Metering: Two Million Meters to Be Installed Annually for Five Years — Adelabu

The Federal Government has announced a major step toward resolving Nigeria’s lingering electricity metering challenge, with the rollout of a comprehensive metering programme worth N700 billion. According to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, the initiative—known as the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI)—will ensure that two million meters are distributed annually over the next five years, a move expected to significantly reduce estimated billing and improve transparency in electricity consumption nationwide.

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Adelabu disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja, where he explained that the fund was secured in collaboration with key financial institutions and private investors under a structured public-private partnership model. He noted that the metering initiative forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to provide affordable, reliable, and fair electricity services to Nigerian homes and businesses.

A Step Toward Ending Estimated Billing

The minister stressed that one of the major problems facing the electricity sector is the persistent use of estimated billing, which has created distrust between consumers and distribution companies (DisCos). Many consumers have long complained about being billed for electricity they did not consume, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and in some cases, refusal to pay.

“The Presidential Metering Initiative is designed to eliminate the issue of estimated billing once and for all,” Adelabu said. “With proper metering, every consumer will only pay for what they use. It will bring fairness, restore public confidence in the power sector, and improve the revenue collection efficiency of the DisCos.”

He explained that the rollout would target both residential and commercial consumers, including government establishments, in phases, starting from areas with the highest complaints about overbilling and energy theft.

Local Production to Boost Job Creation

In line with the federal government’s emphasis on local content, the minister revealed that a large portion of the meters will be produced locally to stimulate job creation and strengthen the domestic manufacturing sector.

He said that existing local meter manufacturers and assemblers will be engaged, while new investments will be encouraged to meet the scale of production required. “We are working closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) to provide credit facilities and guarantees to local manufacturers. The goal is to achieve at least 70% local content in meter production by the end of the five-year plan,” Adelabu stated.

He added that the initiative will also create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in production, installation, logistics, and maintenance across all six geopolitical zones.

Tackling Power Sector Challenges

While highlighting progress in the power sector, Adelabu acknowledged that metering is just one of several critical challenges the government is addressing. He listed others such as inadequate generation, transmission bottlenecks, and the financial liquidity crisis affecting distribution companies.

“The metering programme is part of a broader reform effort to ensure financial stability and accountability in the power sector,” he said. “Without accurate metering, it is impossible to know how much power is consumed and how much revenue should be generated. This initiative will help plug revenue leakages and make the power sector more attractive to investors.”

He disclosed that the government is also working to complete several ongoing transmission projects to strengthen the national grid, while encouraging the development of mini-grids and renewable energy solutions to serve underserved communities.

Financial Model and Transparency

The N700 billion funding, according to Adelabu, will not be entirely sourced from government coffers. He explained that it would be financed through a blended model involving federal budget allocations, concessional loans, and private sector investments. The financing structure, he said, is designed to be self-sustaining and transparent.

“The metering programme will operate under a strict monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure funds are properly utilized,” he noted. “All stakeholders—including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and the DisCos—will be fully involved to maintain accountability.”

He added that each meter will be digitally registered in a central database for real-time tracking and management, reducing the risk of duplication and fraud.

Benefits for Consumers and DisCos

Energy experts have long argued that adequate metering benefits both consumers and the DisCos. Consumers will be protected from overbilling and will have better control of their energy consumption, while DisCos can expect increased revenue collection efficiency and reduced energy theft.

Adelabu emphasized that with proper metering, “the era of arbitrary billing will end, and the culture of paying for what you use will be entrenched.”

He urged consumers to cooperate with the DisCos and installers during the rollout, warning against tampering with meters or engaging in electricity theft.

A Path to Sustainable Power Supply

The metering initiative, if effectively implemented, could mark a turning point for Nigeria’s power sector, which has struggled for decades despite several reform efforts. Analysts believe that improving transparency in billing and data management is a critical foundation for achieving reliable electricity supply.

Minister Adelabu concluded by assuring Nigerians that the government remains committed to achieving a sustainable and equitable power system. “Our goal is to make power supply stable, fair, and affordable. With this initiative, we are taking a bold step toward ending the era of darkness and inefficiency in our electricity industry,” he said.

The Presidential Metering Initiative thus stands as a beacon of renewed hope—one that could finally bridge the trust gap between consumers and power providers, while setting Nigeria on the path to a more accountable and efficient energy future.