The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has ruled in favour of electricity consumers, ordering distribution companies (DisCos) to refund a total of ₦20.33 billion in outstanding meter costs.
The directive, outlined in Order No: NERC/2026/025, which amends a previous 2023 order, was signed on February 27, 2026, by NERC Chairman Musiliu Oseni and Commissioner for Legal, Licensing & Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye.
Under the new order, DisCos are required to reimburse affected customers fully over 12 months, starting March 1, 2026. The refunds pertain to meters purchased under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework, in which customers initially pay for meters and are reimbursed through energy credits.
NERC noted that previous reimbursements had been slow, leaving an outstanding ₦20.33 billion as of December 31, 2025. The order aims to eliminate delays, improve customer notifications, and restore confidence in the sector.
The commission instructed that all reimbursements be fully automated on customer accounts:
For prepaid customers, DisCos must generate monthly tokens equivalent to the reimbursement amount, no later than the fourth day of each month. For postpaid customers, the monthly reimbursement must appear as a distinct credit line on bills.
NERC also clarified that meter reimbursement credits cannot be offset against legacy customer debt.
To ensure transparency and accountability, DisCos are required to submit monthly reports detailing the total value of reimbursements issued and establish a dedicated complaints channel for customers who have not received their MAP meter reimbursements. Complaint statuses must be included in monthly reports.
To recover the ₦20.33 billion arrears within the 12-month period, prepaid customers will receive two tokens per month, while postpaid customers will see two reimbursement line items per month on their bills.
The regulator emphasized that all reimbursements must be applied automatically and accurately, ensuring that affected customers receive the full benefit of the MAP framework.
