The Federal Government says 668,000 electricity meters have been deployed and installed on customers’ premises across the country.
The figure represents about 60 per cent of the 1,033,000 meters delivered under Phase 1 of the World Bank-financed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme. Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, disclosed the figure at the second meeting of the National Council on Privatisation for 2026.
Vice President Kashim Shettima chaired the meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. According to Gbeleyi, the government is working to reduce the metering gap and end arbitrary estimated billing for electricity customers. The metering exercise is being carried out under the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme. It also includes the Presidential Metering Initiative.
“On various issues, we provided updates on meter deployment under Phase 1 of the World Bank-financed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme. We have implemented 60 percent of the meters that have been delivered in the country out of 1,033,000. So far, we have deployed and installed 668,000 meters on customers’ premises,” he said.
The government said the metering initiative would help close the electricity metering gap. It would also reduce the use of arbitrary estimated bills for registered customers.
17 States Establish Electricity Regulators
In addition, Gbeleyi disclosed that about 17 states had established State Electricity Regulatory Commissions since April 2024. The development followed the transition provided for under the Electricity Act. Akwa Ibom State became one of the latest states to establish its own commission in July.
However, Gbeleyi said some parts of the law still require adjustments.
“Some fine-tuning is required here and there in the implementation of that Act,” Gbeleyi said.
He added that the council had directed key stakeholders to engage on proposed amendments to the Electricity Act. The stakeholders include the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of Power, the Special Adviser to the President on Power, NERC and BPE. According to Gbeleyi, the engagement will help streamline and harmonise the Federal Government’s position on the proposed amendments.
“Council has directed that stakeholders, led by the Attorney General of the Federation, the Honourable Minister of Power, the Special Adviser on Power, the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Oil and Gas, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the BPE and all other critical stakeholders, should engage constructively so as to streamline and harmonise the Federal Government’s position in terms of the required amendments to fine-tune the Electricity Act,” he said.
FG Promises Better Value From Electricity
Also speaking, the Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, said the government was working to ensure Nigerians get greater value from electricity and other key sectors.
“We are working concertedly and in a very collaborative manner to ensure that we give value, either in electricity or in telecoms—whichever area—to make sure that Nigerians benefit from this government,” Tegbe said.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Power and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. The Attorney-General of the Federation’s representative and other members of the council also attended the meeting.
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