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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved ₦30 billion as Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund, with all installations required to be completed by May 31, 2027. The money is meant to speed up metering for unmetered Band A customers and expand metering for Band B customers across the 11 electricity distribution companies.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved ₦30 billion as Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund to support electricity meter rollout, with a firm deadline of May 31, 2027 for installations.
According to the regulator, the fund is aimed at accelerating metering for unmetered Band A customers and expanding metering for Band B customers. The approval is contained in Order No. NERC/2026/121 on the operationalisation of Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund, effective November 2, 2026.
NERC said the ₦30 billion will be shared among the 11 electricity distribution companies in proportion to their respective contributions to the fund.
The commission also set conditions for the meters to be supplied under the programme. It said all meters supplied and installed under Tranche C must be free to customers.
In addition, each meter must carry the applicable DisCo name, the relevant Meter Acquisition Fund tranche, and the inscription “NOT FOR SALE”.
NERC directed that all installations under Tranche C must be completed on or before May 31, 2027. It added that sanctions would apply where a distribution company’s default impedes installation.
The order focuses specifically on Band A and Band B customers covered by the programme and places responsibility on the distribution companies to deliver the meters within the approved framework.
Why it matters
The approval combines two points that matter to power consumers: the meters are to be provided free under this tranche, and the regulator has set a clear installation deadline. By tying the rollout to a dated order and warning of sanctions where DisCo defaults delay installation, NERC has put a formal compliance timeline around part of the metering drive.
What it means for your money
For affected customers, the direct financial relevance is that meters installed under this Tranche C programme are to be free. Beyond that, the brief does not state how many customers will benefit or any wider tariff or billing impact.
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The next issue to watch is how the 11 distribution companies allocate and deploy their shares of the fund under the order. Progress toward the May 31, 2027 deadline will be key, as NERC has said sanctions will apply where DisCo defaults impede installation. Consumers and industry observers will also be watching whether the required meter markings are consistently enforced.
NERC has released ₦30 billion for another round of electricity meter rollout, with free meters targeted at eligible Band A and Band B customers and a May 31, 2027 deadline for completion.
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