By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has ordered electricity distribution companies to refund a total of ₦20.33 billion to customers for outstanding meter payments made under the Meter Asset Provider scheme.
The directive, contained in Order No. NERC/2026/025 and signed by NERC Chairman Musiliu Oseni and Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance Dafe Akpeneye on February 27, 2026, amends an earlier 2023 order and aims to address delays in reimbursing customers who paid for meters.
Under the revised order, electricity distribution companies (DisCos) must recover and fully refund the ₦20.33 billion to affected customers within 12 months starting March 1, 2026.
The refund relates to meters procured through the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Scheme, under which electricity consumers pay upfront for meters and are later reimbursed through energy credits issued by their respective DisCos.
According to NERC, reimbursement under the scheme has been slow over the years. As of December 31, 2025, distribution companies had yet to refund ₦20.33 billion owed to customers who purchased meters through the programme.
The regulator said the new order is designed to prevent further delays, improve communication with customers, and strengthen credibility and confidence in the electricity sector.
Under the new framework, reimbursements will be automated through customer accounts. DisCos are required to recognise the full cost of a MAP meter as a credit once the meter is activated and distribute the refund as monthly energy credits over the approved amortisation period.
NERC also directed that meter reimbursement credits must not be offset against any existing customer debts.
For customers using prepaid meters, distribution companies must automatically generate monthly tokens reflecting the reimbursement value no later than the fourth day of each month. The energy value of the token will correspond to the monthly reimbursement due under the 120-month amortisation period based on the applicable tariff.
For postpaid customers, the reimbursement must appear as a separate credit line on monthly bills and be deducted from the total amount payable.
The commission also mandated stricter compliance measures, including monthly reporting and the creation of dedicated complaint channels for affected customers.
“All DisCos shall file monthly reports with the Commission detailing the total monetary value of reimbursements to customers through energy credits,” the order stated.
Distribution companies are also required to establish dedicated email channels to receive complaints from customers who have not received their MAP meter reimbursements, with updates on such complaints to be included in their monthly compliance reports.
To clear the ₦20.33 billion backlog, DisCos have been instructed to accelerate refunds over a 12-month period beginning March 1, 2026. Prepaid customers will receive two reimbursement tokens each month, while postpaid customers will see two reimbursement entries reflected on their bills during the recovery period.
