In a statement on Sunday, April 6, Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, announced that the first delivery of 75,000 meters under the International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1) is expected in April 2025, with an additional 200,000 meters set to arrive in May 2025.
Tunji responded to a recent media report suggesting a crisis in the electricity metering sector, arguing that it failed to reflect the substantial progress the government has made in addressing the metering shortfall. “While challenges persist, the facts tell a different story—one of consistent effort, financial commitment, and structured implementation plans by the Federal Government of Nigeria to bridge the metering gap,” he said.
“Despite claims of stagnation, metering installations have been progressing steadily. As of December 2024, 5,502,460 customers had been metered, representing about 55 percent of Nigeria’s 10,114,060 active electricity customers. In 2024 alone, 572,050 meters were installed. While the government acknowledges the existing metering gap, it is actively working to close it as quickly as possible. A significant portion of active electricity users already have meters, countering the exaggerated portrayal of an industry in crisis,” Tunji added.
The statement also highlighted that while installation rates have fluctuated over the years, the sector maintains an annual average of approximately 668,000 meters. With structured financing and government-backed initiatives, the government aims to ramp up the deployment rate and address the metering gap more effectively.
To further bridge this gap, key initiatives have been introduced, such as the Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP), which will deliver 3,205,101 meters by 2026. This will be achieved through various procurement models, including 1,437,501 meters via ICB1, 217,600 meters through the National Competitive Bid (NCB), and 1,550,000 meters via ICB2. The first batch of 75,000 meters under ICB1 is expected in April 2025, followed by an additional 200,000 meters in May 2025.
In addition to DISREP, the ₦700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) aims to expedite metering efforts. The initiative, backed by ₦700 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), is structured to ensure large-scale meter procurement and deployment. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been set up to oversee the initiative’s implementation. The government has set a target of deploying two million meters annually for five years, with the tender for the first batch of two million meters expected to be released by the third quarter of 2025. These interventions provide a clear roadmap for addressing the metering gap in a sustainable manner.
Tunji concluded by asserting that while the metering gap remains a concern, the idea that it will take over a decade to resolve is misleading. “With the ongoing DISREP and PMI initiatives, Nigeria’s metering landscape is set to improve significantly before the end of the year. The focus should be on the execution of these well-structured plans rather than blanket criticisms that overlook the real progress being made.”
