The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has officially approved N30 billion for the third phase (Tranche C) of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF). The regulatory intervention aims to provide free electricity meters to all remaining unmetered Band A customers while significantly accelerating meter deployment for Band B consumers across Nigeria. ​
The directive, contained in Order No. NERC/2026/121 on the Operationalisation of Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund, officially took effect on Monday, November 2, 2026, and was publicly released from the NERC Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
​Under the new order issued by the commission, the N30 billion allocation pushes total funds approved under the MAF scheme to N79 billion. The funds will be distributed among all 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in direct proportion to their financial contributions to the fund manager. ​
To safeguard consumer interests, NERC mandated that all meters supplied and installed under the MAF program must be provided completely free of charge, with each unit prominently displaying the respective DisCo’s name, the applicable MAF tranche, and the clear inscription stating “NOT FOR SALE.”
In addition, DisCos are required to conduct transparent procurement processes engaging eligible Local Meter Manufacturers and Assemblers (LMMAs) and registered Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) with verified physical inventory. ​Procurement pricing under the new framework has been strictly pegged to the median national MAP online bid prices recorded during the September 2026 bidding cycle.
To enforce accountability throughout the supply chain, a two-stage payment structure has been established where selected providers receive 70 percent of contract values upon verified physical delivery of meter stock, while the remaining 30 percent is released only after installation is fully confirmed.
​NERC has set a strict deadline of May 31, 2027, for all DisCos and meter providers to complete supply and installation operations under Tranche C. ​To maintain complete operational transparency, all supply and installation contracts must be formally filed with NERC.
The commission warned that regulatory sanctions will be enforced against any distribution company whose operational defaults or delays impede meter deployment. Furthermore, should a DisCo initiate the relocation of an existing customer’s connection point for revenue protection purposes, all associated costs must be fully borne by the utility company. ​
Speaking on behalf of the commission through the official regulatory order, NERC reiterated its commitment to closing Nigeria’s national metering gap, improving revenue assurance within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), enhancing service delivery, and protecting consumers from arbitrary estimated billing.
