The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Nigerian National Grid on its verified X (formerly Twitter) account, following an inspection of newly imported smart meters in Lagos State.
The Nigerian government has ordered a nationwide free electricity meter installation and warned electricity distribution companies (DisCos) against charging consumers for meter supply or installation.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Nigerian National Grid on its verified X (formerly Twitter) account, following an inspection of newly imported smart meters in Lagos State.
Speaking during the inspection of 500,000 smart meters recently brought into the country, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, said the metering rollout is being funded under the World Bank–supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP).
According to the statement, Adelabu explained that the initiative is aimed at accelerating access to accurate electricity billing while addressing the long-standing metering deficit in the power sector.
The minister said that the programme would facilitate the deployment of about 3.4 million smart meters nationwide.
He noted that Nigeria currently faces an estimated metering gap of approximately seven million meters, a situation that has contributed to billing disputes and consumer dissatisfaction across the country.
The minister disclosed that close to one million smart meters have already arrived in Nigeria, adding that about 150,000 meters have been installed so far in various locations.
He reiterated that DisCos are prohibited from imposing any charges on consumers for meters or their installation under the programme, warning that violations would attract sanctions from relevant regulatory authorities.
The Nigerian government said the free metering initiative is expected to improve transparency in electricity billing, boost consumer confidence, and support ongoing reforms in the power sector.