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NERC directs DisCos to refund N20.33bn to prepaid meter subscribers
Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in Nigeria are facing fresh financial pressure following a directive by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) ordering them to refund N20.33 billion to customers who purchased prepaid meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.
The directive, contained in an amended order issued by the regulator on March 1, 2026, requires the power distribution companies to reimburse affected customers within 12 months.
According to the order, the refunds will be credited directly to customers’ electricity bills in equal instalments throughout the repayment period.
Industry stakeholders say the directive comes at a time when many distribution companies are already grappling with severe liquidity challenges across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
A senior manager at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said the directive could further strain the financial capacity of operators.
These challenges have significantly constrained the cash flow available to distribution companies for infrastructure maintenance, network expansion, and metering investments,” the official said.
Power sector analyst Ayodele Oni said although the directive supports consumer protection, it could worsen the financial difficulties faced by many DisCos.
“While the directive is understandable from a consumer protection perspective, the reality is that most DisCos are already financially distressed,” Oni said.
If we do not address the underlying tariff gaps and revenue recovery challenges, policies like this could worsen liquidity problems and affect the ability of operators to invest in network improvements.”
Energy economist Dr Benjamin Emmanuel, in an interview with journalists, warned that the scale of the refund requirement could create additional pressure on companies.
“Requiring DisCos to refund such a large amount within a short period without improving sector liquidity could put additional pressure on already weak balance sheets,” he said.
Similarly, power-sector consultant Adedayo Ademiluyi said the directive underscores the longstanding financial fragility of Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector.
“DisCos are operating in an environment where tariffs are not fully cost-reflective, and revenue collection remains weak. Introducing additional financial obligations without addressing these structural challenges could make compliance difficult for some operators,” he noted.
Nigeria introduced the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme to address the country’s longstanding metering gap and reduce disputes arising from estimated billing.
Under the programme, third-party investors supply prepaid meters to electricity consumers, who pay upfront for the meters and later recover the cost through reimbursements from distribution companies.
However, implementation challenges, funding constraints and operational delays have slowed the pace of meter installations, while complaints over delayed refunds have persisted among customers.
Experts say the refund directive also reflects broader structural problems within Nigeria’s electricity market, including tariff gaps, weak revenue collection and electricity theft.
Distribution companies also face mounting losses due to ageing infrastructure, unpaid electricity bills from some government institutions and high operational costs, factors that continue to strain the financial stability of the power sector.
Under the amended order, NERC directed that all refunds must be completed within 12 months, with reimbursements credited directly to customers’ electricity bills in equal instalments during the period.
Industry observers say the ability of distribution companies to comply with the directive will depend largely on their financial capacity and operational performance.
Two major gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, Mr Adebayo Adelabu and Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, have picked the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The duo picked the forms on Wednesday in Abuja.
Adelabu is the immediate past Minister of Power and hails from Ibadan.
Alli, on the other hand, currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the APC.
He is also an indigene of Ibadan, the state capital.
Recall that Adelabu’s Personal Assistant, Mr Ajiboye, picked up the form on behalf of his boss at the APC Secretariat in Abuja.
Alli, on his part, collected the form himself in Abuja.
Alli was accompanied by some members of the House of Representatives, among whom were Remi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olamiju Alao-Akala, and Akin Alabi.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has urged the government of South Africa to step up protection for Nigerians and other black immigrants following reports of renewed xenophobic violence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa warned that the situation had worsened despite earlier diplomatic engagements between both countries.
According to the commission, recent reports suggest children of Nigerian descent are now afraid to attend school, while business owners are reluctant to open their shops for fear of looting, harassment and targeted attacks. Community leaders have also documented fresh incidents of violence and intimidation within the past 72 hours.
NIDCOM appealed to South African authorities to take “urgent and visible steps” to safeguard foreign nationals, citing obligations under international law and African Union protocols on free movement and human rights.
The commission rejected what it described as the profiling of Nigerians, stressing that crime should be treated as an individual matter. “Crime has no nationality,” the statement said, adding that offenders should be prosecuted under South African law rather than entire communities being stigmatised.
Among its demands, NIDCOM called for increased police patrols in areas where Nigerians live and work, swift arrests and prosecutions of perpetrators, and the creation of a joint Nigeria-South Africa community safety forum involving police, city officials and diaspora leaders.
The commission also urged South African authorities to issue clear public messages condemning xenophobia and stereotyping.
Nigerians living in South Africa were advised to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas after dark. NIDCOM said it is in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the consulate in Johannesburg, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While condemning the attacks, the commission praised the majority of South Africans who continue to live peacefully with other Africans, expressing confidence in the longstanding ties between both nations and pledging continued diplomatic engagement to protect Nigerians abroad.
The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in the fatal shooting of Mr. Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, following the tragic incident that occurred on April 26, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directed the immediate withdrawal of all officers linked to the incident from the Delta State Command to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where they underwent accelerated disciplinary proceedings.
The statement revealed that the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), after a thorough review, found that the principal officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, acted in gross violation of Force Order 237 and other established regulations guiding the use of firearms.
The committee described his actions as unlawful, unprofessional, and a serious betrayal of the oath sworn to protect lives and uphold the law.
Following the findings, the FDC recommended the immediate dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and other officers found culpable in the incident.
The Inspector-General of Police has since approved the recommendation and forwarded it to the Police Service Commission for ratification in line with due process.
The Force also confirmed that upon completion of the administrative procedures, the affected officers would be handed over to the appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution over their roles in the extrajudicial killing.
Reaffirming the Force’s stance, the IGP stated that the Nigeria Police Force maintains zero tolerance for extrajudicial actions and abuse of power, stressing that no officer has the right to take life outside the provisions of the law.
He emphasized that any officer found violating this principle would face the full weight of disciplinary and legal consequences.
The Inspector-General also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, Mr. Mene Ogidi, assuring them that the matter would not be treated lightly and that justice would be served transparently to restore public confidence.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, while assuring citizens of the Force’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and the protection of the rights and dignity of all Nigerians.
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