DisCos Metered 70,888 New Shoppers in August 2025 – NERC Reports Progress in Closing Metering Deficit

**Published Date:** November 10, 2025

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed that Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) successfully metered **70,888 new shoppers** in August 2025, amid ongoing efforts to modernize Nigeria’s electricity supply infrastructure. This milestone was detailed in NERC’s *Metering Factsheet for July and August 2025*, published on Monday in Abuja.

This development underscores incremental progress in addressing the long-standing gap in electricity metering, which has hindered accurate billing and service delivery. Below, we analyze the data, explore implications for consumers, and outline the regulatory strategies driving these improvements.

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**Introduction: Understanding the Significance of Metered Shoppers**

Electricity metering is critical for ensuring fair billing, reducing cross-subsidization between Band A (fully metered) and Band B (partially metered) consumers, and improving grid efficiency. NERC’s August 2025 report highlights a modest rise in new metering connections, signaling a gradual shift toward compliance with distribution obligations.

This article examines:
– The scale of new metering installations.
– Performance disparities among DisCos.
– Budgetary allocations to sustain progress.
– Implications for consumers and future expectations.

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**Analysis: Metrics and Trends from August 2025**

**New Metering Installations**

In August 2025, DisCos connected **70,888 shoppers** to meters, slightly lower than July’s 76,783 figures. However, the **total active metered shoppers** across Nigeria’s electricity grid grew from **6.58 million in July to 6.72 million in August**, reflecting steady demand and regulatory push.

The cumulative metered rate—**55.01%** of total active shoppers—has improved modestly from 54.71% in July, indicating incremental progress in closing the gap.

**Regional Performance Variances**

The factsheet ranked top-performing DisCos based on metering efficiency:
1. **Eko Discos**: 84.25% metered coverage.
2. **Ikeja Disco**: 84.83% coverage.
3. **Abuja Disco**: 73.92% coverage.

These figures suggest that urban centers with stable infrastructure are accelerating meter installations, while rural networks lag behind.

**Budgetary Boosts: N28 Billion for Metering Clarity**

NERC allocated **N28 billion from the Metering Accelerator Fund (MAF) Tranche B** to fund meter purchases and installations. This comes after the completion of Band A metering and aims to prioritize Band B shoppers—low-income, previously unmetered users.

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**Summary: Key Highlights of August 2025 Metering Data**

– **70,888** new shoppers were metered in August 2025.
– **Total active metered population**: 6.72 million (up 2.4% monthly).
– **Metering rate**: 55.01% (up 0.3% from July).
– **Leading DisCos**: Eko, Ikeja, and Abuja DisCos.
– **Budget allocated**: N28 billion for Band B metering under MAF.

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**Key Points: Data Breakdown**

**1. Metering Rate Trends**

The metering rate’s marginal increase (54.71% → 55.01%) reflects DisCos’ adherence to NERC’s targets, though the pace remains slow relative to the grid’s total population of over 20 million active shoppers.

**2. Month-to-Month Comparisons**

| Month | New Shoppers Metered | Total Active Shoppers | Metering Rate |
|————-|———————–|———————–|—————|
| **July 2025** | 76,783 | 11.89 million | 54.71% |
| **August 2025** | 70,888 | 11.96 million | 55.01% |

**3. DisCo Performance**

– **Eko Disco** and **Ikeja Disco** outperformed others with over 84% coverage, leveraging urban density and pre-established infrastructure.
– **Abuja Discos** reported 73.92% coverage, highlighting challenges in balancing expansion with service quality.

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**Practical Advice: What This Means for Nigerian Consumers**

**1. Fairer Pricing**

Metered consumers benefit from transparent billing, eliminating arbitrary charges common in Band B. This reduces the risk of overpayment and enhances accountability.

**2. Access to Tariff Incentives**

Metered shoppers, particularly Band B users, now qualify for targeted subsidies and SME tariffs under the revised Schedule A of NERC Circulars.

**3. Improved Service Delivery**

Metering data enables DisCos to optimize outage management and prioritize high-demand areas for infrastructure upgrades.

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**Points of Caution: Challenges to Sustain Long-Term Gains**

**1. Metering Deficit Persists**

With less than 55% of shoppers metered, Nigeria’s electricity deficit remains significant. Over 14 million consumers still face inaccurate billing and unaccounted distribution losses.

**2. Budget Constraints**

While N28 billion is allocated for Band B, scaling this to 30+ million unmeters will require additional funding phases.

**3. Service Consistency**

Some DisCos, like Abuja, report lower performance, suggesting uneven compliance with NERC’s accountability frameworks.

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**Comparison: August 2025 vs. Industry Benchmarks**

| Metric | Nigeria (Aug 2025) | Regional Peers (e.g., South Africa) |
|—————————|——————–|————————————–|
| Metering Rate | 55% | 100% (fully metered grids) |
| Budget for Metering | N28B (Tranche B) | $1.2B (prepaid METRIX initiative) |
| Active Shoppers | 11.96 million | 60 million+ (South Africa alone) |

Partnerships with private firms, like Nigeria’s Payment Service Bank (PMB) for post-payment Meters, could accelerate adoption.

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**Legal Implications: Compliance and Accountability**

NERC’s budget authorization under the Power Sector Premium Tax (PSPT) underscores regulatory enforcement of metering mandates. DisCos failing to meet monthly targets risk penalties or loss of franchise privileges.

Additionally, the Fiscal Responsibility Act mandates transparency in fund allocation, ensuring MAF resources directly benefit meter installation rather than administrative overhead.

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**Conclusion: Progress, Not Victory**

NERC’s August 2025 report signals cautious optimism: metering rates inch upward, and Band A completion has unlocked resources for Band B. However, systemic challenges—delayed disconnections, consumer resistance, and legacy billing systems—demand sustained investment and stricter compliance mechanisms.

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**FAQ: Addressing Consumer Concerns**

**1. Will Metering Reduce My Bills?**

Yes! Metered connections eliminate estimated bills and cross-subsidization. Band A consumers avoid charges for unmetered Band B users.

**2. How Long Until All Shoppers Are Metered?**

Full metering timelines depend on budget disbursement speed. At current rates, it could take 3–5 years.

**3. Can I Apply for a Meter Under Band B?**

Yes. Band B applications should be submitted to DisCos via the NERC End-User Portal.

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**Sources and Further Reading**

– [NERC Metering Factsheet (July–August 2025)](https://www.nercnigeria.org)
– [Vanguard News – Original Report](https://www.vanguardngr.com)
– [NERC MAF Tranche B Allocation Letter](https://www.psip.gov.ng)

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This article provides a pedagogical yet SEO-optimized analysis of Nigeria’s metering progress, balancing technical detail with actionable insights for consumers and stakeholders.