The Federal Government has banned electricity distribution companies and their partners from collecting fees before installing prepaid meters for customers across the country.
It stated that any firm and partner found contravening the order would be prosecuted, as the government intensifies efforts to close the metering gap.
The directive underscores the government’s position that all meters procured under ongoing power sector reforms must be installed at no cost to consumers, regardless of tariff band, with authorities insisting that enforcement will be strict and publicly monitored.
Officials said the policy is aimed at improving transparency in billing, restoring consumer confidence and strengthening liquidity in the power sector, while ending longstanding complaints linked to estimated billing and delayed meter deployment nationwide.
The warning was issued on yesterday by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, during an inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos, where another shipment of 500,000 meters arrived under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.
Adelabu said the meters must be installed free of charge, declaring that “it is an offence for the officials of distribution companies across Nigeria to request a dime before installation,” adding that even third-party installers were barred from collecting money from consumers.
He disclosed that the programme would deliver about 3.4 million meters in two batches, noting that nearly one million units have already been received, with about 150,000 installed nationwide, while expressing dissatisfaction with the current pace of deployment.
The minister said confirmed cases of extortion would lead to prosecution, stressing that “extortion is not allowed,” and assuring Nigerians that complaints would be tracked through regulatory bodies and designated reporting channels to deter future violations.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ayo Gbeleyi, said a new regulatory directive would soon mandate unhindered access for meter installations to ensure smooth and timely deployment across distribution company networks.
The Chairman of MOJEC, Mojisola Abdul, said nearly 150,000 meters supplied by the Federal Government had been installed free of charge. “I’m telling you, physically, we have installed almost 150,000 meters, and they are free. Don’t give anybody money. You are not allowed,” she said.
Adelabu also visited the National Meter Test Station in Oshodi, where meters are tested by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency to ensure compliance with required standards.
