The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has reported an increase in the total number of active electricity customers nationwide. As of August 2025, the number of active customers rose to 11.96 million, up from 11.89 million in July. This information was disclosed in the Commission’s latest Metering Factsheet for July and August 2025, which was released on social media platforms.
According to the report, the updated active customer data covers all 11 electricity distribution companies in the country. Out of the total active customers, 6.58 million were metered, resulting in a metering rate of 55.01%. This represents a slight increase from the 54.71% metering rate recorded in July. Additionally, 70,888 customers were newly metered in August, compared to 76,783 in July.
The improved metering figures are attributed to ongoing reforms and investments in customer management by distribution companies (DisCos), aimed at enhancing billing transparency and consumer trust. The top-performing DisCos in terms of metering coverage include Eko, Ikeja, and Abuja, with metering rates of 84.25%, 84.83%, and 73.92%, respectively.
In an effort to promote metering and reduce estimated billing, NERC had previously penalized eight DisCos for failing to adhere to monthly energy caps imposed on estimated billing for unmetered customers. The penalties included a combined fine of over 628 million and directives to provide credit adjustments to affected customers.
In related developments, NERC reported that DisCos installed a total of 225,631 meters in the second quarter of 2025, marking a 20.55% increase compared to the first quarter of the year. The majority of these meters, 147,823 units, were deployed under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework.
The increase in metering rates and the installation of new meters are significant steps towards improving the efficiency and transparency of the Nigerian electricity supply industry. As the industry continues to evolve, it is likely that metering rates will remain a key focus area for regulators and stakeholders. With the ongoing efforts to enhance metering and customer management, the Nigerian electricity sector is poised for further growth and development.
