Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to refund a total of N20.33bn owed to customers who paid for meters under the Meter Asset Provider framework.
The commission stated that the outstanding sum must be recovered and repaid to affected customers within 12 months starting from March 1, 2026.
Under the MAP scheme, consumers purchase electricity meters upfront and are expected to receive refunds in the form of energy credits from their respective distribution companies. However, NERC observed that repayments have progressed at a sluggish pace over the years, prompting regulatory intervention.
The directive, issued as Order No: NERC/2026/025, revises an earlier 2023 guideline on meter cost reimbursements. It was endorsed on February 27, 2026, by NERC Chairman Musiliu Oseni and the Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye.
The commission disclosed that as of December 31, 2025, distribution companies had yet to refund customers fully for meters obtained under the MAP arrangement, resulting in the N20.33bn debt.
“In February 2026, the commission reviewed the level of compliance of DisCos with the expected reimbursement to customers who have paid for meters under the MAP framework.
The review highlighted that DisCos have an outstanding amount of N20.33bn to reimburse customers for meters procured under the MAP framework as at 31 December 2025.”
NERC said the fresh order is designed to curb recurring reimbursement delays, improve transparency in customer notifications and reinforce public confidence in the power sector.
Under the new framework, refunds will now be automated. The commission stated, “DisCos shall ensure that the total cost of a MAP meter is recognised as credit on the customer’s account upon activation of the meter and disbursed automatically as monthly credits over the approved amortisation period.”