The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has mandated all electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to publish details of refunds made to customers who purchased meters under the Meter Asset Providers (MAP) scheme.
This directive was announced on Monday via NERC’s official social media platforms following the commission’s first Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Stakeholders Meeting for 2025.
Understanding the MAP Framework
The Meter Asset Providers (MAP) scheme allows private investors to supply and maintain meters for electricity consumers. Under this arrangement, customers who opt to purchase meters are entitled to refunds through energy credits issued by the distribution companies. The repayment structure is regulated by NERC, taking into account the financial capacity of each distribution licensee.
However, consumer advocacy groups have raised concerns over DISCOs’ failure to consistently reimburse customers as required. Many consumers who have procured meters through the scheme report delays and lack of transparency in the refund process.
New Directive for Transparency
To address these concerns, NERC has now made it mandatory for DISCOs to publicly disclose refund details on their official websites.
“NERC has directed DISCOs to publish details of MAP refunds on their websites for transparency. This will demonstrate commitment to the scheme and encourage more customer participation,” the commission stated.
Government’s Commitment to Closing the Metering Gap
The Federal Government has reiterated its goal of bridging Nigeria’s metering gap, which currently leaves over seven million electricity consumers unmetered.
Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser on Energy to President Bola Tinubu, emphasized that ensuring all electricity users have meters is a priority. He noted that this move will enhance revenue collection, reduce financial losses, and improve efficiency within the power sector.
“The government is focused on ensuring that all registered customers within the DISCO network are metered. No matter the tariff structure, it is essential to accurately measure electricity consumption and enhance revenue collection. The Presidential Metering Initiative is consolidating various metering programs funded by different entities to achieve this goal,” Verheijen explained.
He further highlighted that metering consumers would improve cash flow within the electricity market, providing DISCOs with the financial resources needed to invest in infrastructure, reliability, and green energy projects.
Key Takeaways from the NESI Stakeholders Meeting
At the NESI Stakeholders Meeting hosted by NERC, industry leaders discussed several critical issues affecting the power sector, including:
- Electricity Tariffs – Reviewing methodologies and their impact on state electricity transitions.
- Market Liquidity – Addressing financial sustainability and improving cash flow in the power sector.
- Regulatory Framework – Implementing a multi-tier electricity market and strengthening state regulatory commissions.
NERC reiterated that these quarterly meetings serve as an avenue for key stakeholders to assess the progress of the electricity industry and resolve pressing challenges.
With these new measures in place, the government aims to boost accountability in the metering process, restore consumer confidence, and create a more efficient electricity supply system across the country.
