PMI delivers 2.8 million meters to electricity customers, says Power Minister

The Presidential Metering Initiative has distributed over 2.8 million electricity meters to customers in Nigeria, as the Power Minister, Joseph Tegbe, reported on Thursday during the opening of the sixth Annual Conference of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN). Tegbe, represented by his Special Adviser on Administration and Projects, Martins Olajide, explained that this initiative was one of several measures implemented by President Bola Tinubu to tackle financial and infrastructure issues in the country's electricity sector.

The President has approved a N3.3 trillion plan to settle verified debts owed to electricity generation companies (GenCos), and so far, N1.23 trillion has been raised, reducing financial burdens on power generators and enhancing their ability to pay for gas and maintain plants. The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has begun connecting universities, hospitals, and rural areas to solar power.

Additionally, construction for a new National Grid Control Centre in Osogbo, to replace the outdated facility built over 60 years ago, has commenced. Tegbe emphasized that reliable and affordable electricity is vital for achieving a $1 trillion economy as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, with electricity serving as a crucial factor in industrial expansion and private sector investment.

Vandalism remains a significant challenge for the electricity industry, and the government has launched a coordinated anti-vandalism campaign backed by a strengthened legal framework to protect assets and hold offenders accountable. FGN Power Company Limited's Managing Director, Kenny Anuwe, stated that private investment is essential to achieve the $1 trillion economy goal, suggesting that the government should focus on providing infrastructure and creating favorable conditions to attract private capital.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved N30 billion for the third tranche of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), taking effect from November 2, 2026, to provide free meters to unmetered Band A customers and expedite metering for Band B customers. This initiative is part of the Presidential Metering Initiative, aiming to close the metering gap and enhance electricity service delivery, with funding distributed among the 11 electricity distribution companies based on their contributions to the Fund.