The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says it has approved N30 billion for electricity distribution companies for the third tranche of the Meter Acquisition Fund.

The commission also said that it ordered DisCos to provide meters free to customers and complete all installations on or before May 31, 2027.

NERC announced the approval in Order No. NERC/2026/121 on the Operationalisation of Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund released in Abuja on Tuesday.

NERC said the directive became effective from November 2. It said the order established a transparent framework for implementing the third tranche of the Presidential Metering Initiative, aimed at accelerating the closure of Nigeria’s metering gap.

”Under the order, the N30 billion will be allocated among the 11 DisCos in proportion to their respective contributions to the fund,” it said.

The commission said the funding was intended to meter all remaining unmetered Band A customers and accelerate metering for Band B customers, with equitable distribution across states within the respective DisCo franchise areas.

The commission directed the DisCos to undertake transparent procurement processes involving eligible Local Meter Manufacturers and Assemblers and Meter Asset Providers with verified meter stock.

It also prescribed maximum procurement prices based on the median national MAP online bid prices from the September bid cycle.

“Payment to selected providers shall be made in two stages: 70 per cent upon verified delivery of meter stock and the remaining 30 per cent upon confirmation of complete installation,” it said.

NERC reiterated that all meters supplied and installed under the MAF programme shall be provided free to customers.

“Every meter must prominently display the relevant DisCo’s name, the applicable MAF tranche and the inscription ‘not for sale’.

”Where a DisCo initiates the relocation of an existing customer’s connection point for revenue protection purposes, the cost shall be borne by the distribution company,” it said.

NERC said that to ensure accountability and transparency, the order prescribed monitoring, reporting and evaluation requirements for the fund manager, DisCos and participating meter providers.

It said that all supply and installation contracts must be filed with NERC. The commission, however, urged all stakeholders to comply strictly with the provisions of the order, reinforcing its commitment to closing the national metering gap, improving revenue assurance, enhancing service delivery, and protecting electricity consumers.

(NAN)