Tag: NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has instructed power distribution companies to settle N20.33bn owed to customers who purchased meters under the Meter Asset Provider scheme. The regulator said the outstanding refunds must be cleared within a 12-month window beginning March 1, 2026, with payments credited directly to affected customers. Under the MAP arrangement, electricity consumers pay upfront for prepaid meters and are reimbursed gradually through energy credits from their respective DisCos. However, the commission observed that repayment progress has been slow, prompting the need for stricter enforcement. The directive, titled Order No: NERC/2026/025, updates a previous 2023 reimbursement order. It was signed on February 27, 2026, by NERC Chairman Musiliu Oseni and Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye. According to the commission, a compliance review conducted in February 2026 revealed that as of December 31, 2025, distribution companies had yet to refund customers fully, leaving a total unpaid balance of N20.33bn. “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 explained that the latest order aims to eliminate persistent delays, enhance transparency and restore trust in the electricity sector. To prevent further lapses, the commission directed that refunds be automated. “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.”