The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has reported a steady growth in the number of active electricity customers across the country, rising from 11.89 million in July to 11.96 million in August 2025. The development reflects ongoing efforts by electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to expand metering coverage and improve billing transparency nationwide.
According to NERC’s Metering Factsheet for July and August 2025, which was shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram platforms, the updated active consumer data spans all 11 electricity distribution companies operating in Nigeria.Of the total number of customers, 6.58 million are now metered, representing a metering rate of 55.01 percent, slightly up from 54.71 percent in July.
The Commission reported that 70,888 new meters were installed in August, compared to 76,783 in July, demonstrating the steady progress being made in the ongoing drive to ensure more accurate billing for electricity consumers across the country.NERC emphasized that the improved metering figures reflect reforms and investments by DisCos in customer management, aimed at boosting billing accuracy, transparency, and consumer confidence.
Among the distribution companies, Eko, Ikeja, and Abuja DisCos were identified as the top performers in metering coverage. Ikeja DisCo recorded the highest rate at 84.83 percent, followed closely by Eko DisCo at 84.25 percent, while Abuja DisCo stood at 73.92 percent. The Commission described these results as a positive indication that targeted interventions and investments in the sector are yielding measurable results.Earlier in the year, in April, NERC sanctioned eight DisCos—including Abuja (AEDC), Ikeja (IKEDC), Eko (EKEDC), Enugu (EEDC), Jos (JEDC), Kaduna Electric, Kano (KEDCO), and Yola (YEDC)—for failing to comply with monthly energy caps on estimated billing for unmetered customers.
The total fines imposed amounted to over ₦628 million, and the affected companies were instructed to provide credit adjustments to all impacted customers.In its Q2 2025 report, NERC disclosed that DisCos installed a total of 225,631 meters during the quarter, marking a 20.55 percent increase compared to the 187,161 meters installed in the first quarter of the year. The report revealed that 147,823 meters (65.52 percent) were deployed under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework, 65,315 meters through the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme, 12,259 meters via Vendor Financing, and 234 meters installed under DisCo financing.
The Commission noted that these metering initiatives are part of a broader strategy to eliminate estimated billing, strengthen customer trust, and enhance service delivery in the Nigerian electricity sector.
NERC also highlighted that continuous monitoring and enforcement of regulations, alongside the deployment of advanced metering technologies, remain critical to achieving full metering coverage nationwide.While acknowledging the improvements, the regulator urged DisCos to maintain momentum in the metering drive, stressing that consistent and accurate billing is essential for financial sustainability of the electricity sector and for improving the overall consumer experience.As Nigeria continues to implement reforms aimed at modernizing the electricity supply industry, the latest data from NERC underscores incremental progress in creating a more reliable and accountable power sector.
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Active Electricity Customers in Nigeria Rise to 11.96 Million-NERC
Share The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has reported a steady growth in the number of active electricity customers across the country, rising from 11.89 million in July to 11.96 million in August 2025. The development reflects ongoing efforts by electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to expand metering coverage and improve billing transparency nationwide. According to…
