The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed all Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to pay N20.33 billion in outstanding meter reimbursements to customers under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework.
The commission gave the order in a document dated March 1, titled ‘Amended order on the reimbursement of meter costs’.
The order took effect on March 1, 2026, according to the document, which provided guidelines for the reimbursement.
The commission directed that the total amount must be recovered and fully disbursed to affected customers in 12 months, from March 1, 2026.
NERC said the MAP scheme mandates DisCos to reimburse customers that procure and pay for meters under the framework through equal instalments of energy credit.
However, in February 2026, the commission said it had reviewed the level of compliance by DisCos regarding reimbursements to customers who had paid for meters under the MAP framework.
“The review highlighted that DisCos have an outstanding amount of NGN20.33billion to reimburse customers, for meters procured under the MAP framework as at 31″ December 2025,” NERC said.
“The result of the analysis is further corroborated by the volume of complaints concerning delays and deficiencies in the implementation of the reimbursement of the meter cost to customers that have been received by the Commission.”
To recover the sum of N20.33 billion that was not reimbursed to customers as at December 31, 2025, the commission said the “DisCos shall accelerate the rate of recovery for the affected customers over a 12 (twelve) month period commencing from 1st March, 2026”.
According to NERC, the order aims to streamline the reimbursement process and improve customer notifications, helping to prevent repeated delays while boosting the sector’s credibility and customer confidence.
The commission also asked DiCos to “establish a timeline and process for the fast-tracked reimbursement of the accumulated outstanding meter costs to customers that procured meters under the MAP framework”.
NERC added that reimbursements to customers for meters procured under the MAP framework must be fully automated on customer accounts.
The regulator also mandated monthly reporting and a dedicated complaints channel for affected customers.
“DisCos shall amortise the under-reimbursement to the affected customers in 12 equal installments which will be deducted from the monthly bill i.e. the monthly bill,” the commission said
“All DisCos shall file monthly reports with the Commission detailing the total monetary value of the reimbursement to customers through energy credit, in accordance with the template approved by the Commission.”
NERC directed all DisCos to establish a dedicated email address for the receipt of complaints from customers who have not received MAP meter cost reimbursements.
