Amidst growing pressure from power sector operators urging the Federal Government to discontinue subsidies on electricity tariffs, a staggering seven million customers find themselves without electricity meters, leaving them unable to monitor and control their energy consumption.
Consequently, these customers are grappling with estimated bills issued by electricity distribution companies (DisCos).
The most recent data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reveals that as of September 30, 2023, there were a total of 12,825,005 registered electricity customers in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
Alarmingly, only 44.51 percent, or 5,707,838 customers, are equipped with meters.
NERC’s third-quarter 2023 report further discloses that during this period, 148,389 end-user customers were successfully metered.
Notably, Ikeja, Abuja, and Ibadan DisCos took the lead in meter installations, collectively accounting for 65.66 percent of the total installations—27.35 percent, 20.78 percent, and 17.53 percent, respectively.
As the industry grapples with financial hardships, NERC reveals that subsidies payable by the government to the sector are projected to surpass N600 billion by year-end.
The Commission also anticipates that without a cost-reflective tariff, electricity subsidies could reach a staggering N1.6 trillion in 2024.
Expressing concern over the industry’s financial state, Mr. Adetayo Adegbemle, Convener and Executive Director of PowerUp Nigeria, emphasizes that the government’s continued payment of electricity subsidies is unsustainable.
Adegbemle highlights the historical context, stating, “the Nigerian Government has been paying electricity subsidies to the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry,” underscoring the growing challenge posed by this subsidy, which he likens to “an elephant in the chinaware shop.”
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