The Federal Government plans to roll out seven million smart electricity meters across Nigeria as part of the Presidential Metering Initiative. The goal is simple: end estimated billing and plug revenue leaks in the power sector.
Mrs. Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, shared the update during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. The announcement comes as President Tinubu marks two years in office.
According to Verheijen, smart metering is central to the administration’s energy reforms, especially in fixing the gas-to-power value chain. “There are a number of actions or interventions that we are taking to ensure that we improve the commercial viability of the gas-to-power value chain,” she said.
Verheijen also revealed plans to settle legacy debts owed to power generation companies and gas suppliers. “We plan to clear the legacy debt with a mix of cash and promissory notes,” she said, citing past subsidy shortfalls and poor revenue from Discos as root causes.
By increasing the number of metered customers, the government hopes to reduce collection losses and ensure only paying customers get power. “We can end estimated billing and ensure that we reduce collection losses,” Verheijen added.
In return for clearing these debts, the government will demand performance commitments from all stakeholders in the electricity supply chain. Better governance of Discos will also be key.
Verheijen stressed that regulatory tools will be used to hold Discos accountable—ensuring they have both the technical and financial ability to deliver power reliably to homes and businesses.
Earlier this year, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) fined eight Discos a total of ₦628 million. Companies like Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and Ikeja Electric were penalized for violating estimated billing limits. NERC said the move was part of a broader push to phase out estimated billing and fast-track prepaid meter deployment.
The new metering push is expected to complement efforts under the National Mass Metering Programme and drive long-term stability in Nigeria’s troubled power sector.
