FG Expects 1st Batch Of 3.2m Pre-Paid Meters In April  — Power  Minister, Adelabu

SUNDAY April 6, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng

Faced with growing criticism over the lack of progress in bridging the huge metering gap in the power sector, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, on Sunday, April 6, 2025, disclosed that the government is expecting the first batch of 3,205,101 meters it ordered last year, reports Vanguard newspaper.

Adelabu, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Tunji Bolaji, said 75,000 meters under the International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1) are expected by April 2025, followed by the second batch of 200,000 meters in May 2025.

Despite the slow pace of meter deployment, the Minister said significant progress has been made in bridging the metering gap.

“While challenges persist, the facts tell a more balanced story — one of sustained effort, financial commitment, and structured implementation plans by the Federal Government of Nigeria to close the metering gap.

“Despite claims of stagnation, metering installations have been progressing steadily. As of December 2024, a total of 5,502,460 customers had been metered, representing about 55 percent of the 10,114,060 active electricity customers in Nigeria. In 2024 alone, 572,050 meters were installed.

While the government acknowledges the existing metering gap, it is actively working to close it as quickly as possible. However, the fact remains that a sizable portion of active electricity users already have meters, countering the exaggerated portrayal of an industry in crisis”, he stated.

According to the statement, though installation rates have varied over the years, the sector maintains a yearly average of about 668,000 meters installed.

Additionally, structured financing and government-backed initiatives are expected to accelerate deployment beyond the current pace, ensuring that the metering gap is addressed efficiently.

“To bridge this gap, the government has put in place key initiatives aimed at significantly improving metering across the country. The Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP) is set to deliver 3,205,101 meters by 2026. This will be achieved through different procurement models, including 1,437,501 meters through International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1), 217,600 meters through National Competitive Bid (NCB), and 1,550,000 meters through International Competitive Bid 2 (ICB2). As part of this plan, the first batch of 75,000 meters under ICB1 is expected by April 2025, followed by the second batch of 200,000 meters in May 2025.