Nigeria’s power distribution companies (Discos) have announced a 28% increase in the cost of various electricity meters, marking the second price hike in four months.
Consumers expressed outrage over the increase, describing it as “unfair” amid the country’s economic challenges.
The new price for a single-phase meter has surged from about N117,000 to as high as N149,800, an increase of N32,800, varying by distribution company and vendor.
The Discos shared these updated prices on their official social media channels, noting that the change took effect on November 5, 2024. This adjustment reflects a regulatory shift towards meter asset provider (MAP) deregulation as directed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
This increase follows a previous adjustment in August 2024, further intensifying concerns among consumers over rising electricity costs and meter accessibility.
Price documents show that meter costs vary across Discos based on the type (single-phase or three-phase) and vendor.
- Eko Disco: Single-phase meters priced between N135,987.50 and N161,035; three-phase meters between N226,600 and N266,600.
- Ibadan Disco: Single-phase meters between N130,998 and N142,548; three-phase meters from N226,556.25 to N232,008.
- Abuja Disco: Single-phase meters priced at N123,130.53 to N147,812.50; three-phase meters at N206,345.65 to N236,500.
- Kano Disco: Single-phase meters from N127,925 to N129,999; three-phase meters between N223,793 and N235,425.
- Kaduna Disco: Single-phase meters between N131,150 and N142,548.94; three-phase meters from N220,375 to N232,008.04.
In April, NERC introduced a major policy change, deregulating meter prices under the MAP scheme to address ongoing issues around meter supply and pricing. Under this policy, prices are now determined through competitive bidding rather than centralized control, encouraging competition and cost efficiency among meter providers.
This shift also removes earlier restrictions, allowing MAP permit holders to serve all distribution companies. To ensure quality, MAPs must meet specific regulatory standards.
Previously, NERC regulated meter prices, often subsidizing them to keep costs low. While this aimed to make meters affordable, it inadvertently limited competition and transparency, preventing Discos and consumers from negotiating better deals.
With deregulation, NERC envisions a more competitive metering system where customers and Discos benefit from competitive pricing and better service from meter providers. Customers can apply for meters through Disco portals, while MAPs like Mojec Asset Management Company, Wellsun Intelligent Technology, and others, supply the meters.
In recent months, meter vendors had protested that NERC-approved prices were below production costs, leading to delays in meter supply as vendors halted operations. Following negotiations, NERC allowed a price increase in response to foreign exchange rate shifts.
In May, Discos announced that meters would be installed within 10 working days of application, though reports suggest some vendors have not adhered to this timeline. The meter prices are now reviewed monthly after competitive bidding.
Princewill Okorie, Executive Director of the Electricity Consumers Protection and Advocacy Centre, has criticized the new prices, stating there is no justification for the hikes. He highlighted that Discos had received N59bn of a N200bn fund for the National Mass Metering Programme in 2020 but had only repaid N7bn.
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