In the Nigerian electricity supply industry, the number of unmetered electricity customers has decreased to 5.83 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, down from 6 million in the previous quarter. This represents a 3.34% decrease compared to the third quarter of the same year, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Metered customers, on the other hand, stood at 5.61 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, showing a growth rate decrease of 1.32% from the previous quarter’s 5.68 million. When combined, the total number of electricity customers in the country amounts to 12.12 million.
Despite a 3.46% increase in the total number of electricity customers, the issue of closing the metering gap remains a challenge that needs to be addressed. This situation is further complicated by the recent hike in electricity tariffs by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which raised the rates for Band A customers to N225 per kilowatt-hour from N66/kWh.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the issue of metering and electricity tariffs, it is crucial for stakeholders to work towards finding sustainable solutions that ensure reliable and affordable electricity access for all.
