The Federal Government has announced that 668,000 electricity meters have been deployed and installed at customers’ premises across Nigeria as part of efforts to close the country’s metering gap and reduce arbitrary estimated electricity billing.
The government disclosed that about 60 per cent of active electricity customers are now metered.
The disclosure followed the second 2026 meeting of the National Council on Privatisation, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
A statement issued on Thursday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, said the metering programme was being implemented under Phase 1 of the $500 million World Bank-financed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.
The initiative is being complemented by other government interventions, including the Presidential Metering Initiative.
668,000 meters installed
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, said 668,000 meters had been installed out of the 1,033,000 meters delivered under the programme.
Gbeleyi said the figure represented about 60 per cent of the meters delivered so far.
He explained that the programme was designed to improve electricity accountability and ensure that customers pay for the power they actually consume rather than relying on estimated bills.
The government said closing the metering gap remains a major component of ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
17 states establish electricity regulatory commissions
The BPE Director-General also disclosed that approximately 17 states had established State Electricity Regulatory Commissions since April 2024.
He identified Akwa Ibom as one of the latest states to establish its own electricity regulatory commission, with the development recorded in July 2026.
However, Gbeleyi noted that some areas of the Electricity Act required further clarification and adjustment to ensure effective implementation.
“Some fine-tuning is required here and there in the implementation of that Act,” he said.
FG considers amendments to Electricity Act
According to Gbeleyi, the National Council on Privatisation directed key stakeholders to work together on proposed amendments to the Electricity Act.
Those expected to participate include the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Power, Special Adviser to the President on Power, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Bureau of Public Enterprises.
The objective, he said, is to streamline and harmonise the Federal Government’s position on the amendments required to improve the implementation of the law.
FG promises better value for electricity consumers
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, said the Federal Government was working collaboratively to ensure Nigerians derive greater value from electricity and other critical sectors of the economy.
Tegbe said the government’s efforts were focused on improving services and ensuring that Nigerians benefit from ongoing reforms.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Power, representatives of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as private members of the council.
The latest metering figures come amid continued efforts by the Federal Government and electricity sector regulators to improve power distribution, reduce estimated billing and strengthen accountability across the Nigerian electricity market.
