The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has called for strengthened coordination among industry stakeholders to accelerate meter deployment and bridge the national metering gap.
This strategic focus was the primary outcome of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Metering Stakeholders’ Meeting, held in Lagos recently.
The commission emphasized a shift in focus from purely financing metering projects toward improving the synchronization of efforts across the sector.
The engagement focused on the alignment of the four active metering programs currently operational within the market. By harmonizing these initiatives, NERC aims to create a more efficient pathway for closing the metering deficit and ensuring a more transparent billing process for consumers.
Participants highlighted that greater collaboration between Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), meter asset providers, and technical regulators is essential to expedite installation timelines. Such improvements are critical not only for ensuring billing accuracy but also for the systematic elimination of estimated billing practices that have historically challenged consumer trust.
The meeting also underscored the necessity of a unified communication strategy to enhance consumer awareness and encourage active participation in the metering process.
Key institutions in attendance included the World Bank, Meristem, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), alongside various DisCos and Meter Asset Providers (MAPs).