Electricity Consumers to Get ₦20.33bn Meter Refund as NERC Upholds Customer Rights

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to return a total of ₦20.

33 billion to customers who paid for meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme. The move marks a significant regulatory step aimed at accelerating long-overdue reimbursements.
The directive, signed on February 27, 2026, as Order No. NERC/2026/025, revises an earlier 2023 order. It compels DisCos to recover and pay all outstanding refunds within a 12-month period beginning March 1, 2026.
Under the MAP framework, customers who make upfront payments for electricity meters are entitled to refunds from DisCos through energy credits spread over time. However, NERC observed that the pace of reimbursement has been excessively slow, with more than ₦20 billion still unpaid as of December 31, 2025.
To promote transparency and efficiency, the Commission has directed that all refunds be processed automatically through customers’ accounts. Prepaid customers will receive monthly energy tokens equivalent to their refund value, while postpaid customers will see clearly itemised credits on their monthly electricity bills. DisCos are also prohibited from applying meter refund credits to offset existing or legacy debts owed by customers.
Furthermore, NERC has instructed distribution companies to submit monthly compliance reports and to create dedicated complaint channels for customers experiencing delays or discrepancies in their reimbursements.
The action is expected to strengthen consumer confidence in the electricity regulatory system and enhance the credibility of the MAP refund structure, which has faced persistent payment delays in recent years.