Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) across the country prioritised the installation of paid meters over free meters in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, despite the ongoing Federal Government–backed free metering programme aimed at reducing estimated billing, official data has shown.

The data, obtained from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), indicated that while thousands of meters were deployed nationwide between July and September, a higher proportion were installed under paid metering schemes, including the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) initiative, compared to free meters distributed through the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

According to the report, DisCos cited funding constraints, logistical challenges and delayed remittances under the NMMP as key reasons for the preference for paid meters during the period under review.

The NMMP was introduced by the Federal Government to close the metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and protect consumers from arbitrary and estimated billing, particularly low-income households.

However, the Q3 figures revealed that although free meters were rolled out in some franchise areas, the pace of deployment lagged behind paid meter installations, raising concerns among consumer rights groups and electricity customers.

Speaking with the Sources, an energy analyst, Mr. Tunde Adebayo, said the trend underscored persistent structural issues in the power sector.

“DisCos are businesses, and without predictable funding, they will naturally prioritise metering options that guarantee quicker cost recovery. Unfortunately, this undermines the social objective of the free metering programme,” Adebayo said.

He noted that the delay in free meter deployment could prolong the prevalence of estimated billing, which has remained a major source of disputes between consumers and DisCos.

Similarly, the President of the Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN), Mr. Kunle Olubiyo, described the situation as disappointing, calling on the Federal Government to strengthen oversight and ensure that DisCos adhere to metering targets under the NMMP.

Olubiyo urged NERC to impose stricter sanctions on DisCos that failed to prioritise free meters for vulnerable consumers, in line with government policy.

“We appreciate that some progress has been made, but the reality is that many Nigerians who were promised free meters are still waiting, while those who can afford to pay are being served faster,” he said.

In its response, NERC acknowledged the disparity in metering deployment and reaffirmed its commitment to achieving full metering of electricity customers nationwide.

The commission said it was engaging DisCos, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other stakeholders to address funding bottlenecks and accelerate the rollout of free meters under subsequent phases of the NMMP.

NERC also warned that DisCos would continue to face regulatory penalties for non-compliance with metering regulations and customer service standards.

The commission added that closing the metering gap remained critical to improving transparency, boosting consumer confidence and enhancing revenue assurance in the power sector.