the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) highlights a significant and long-standing challenge in Nigeria’s power sector. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what this means, why it’s a problem, and what’s being done about it.

The statement means that 5.36 million customers connected to the national grid do not have a functional electricity meter to measure their actual power consumption.

Instead of paying for the exact amount of electricity they use, these customers are billed through a system called “estimated billing.”

Who is NERC?

NERC stands for the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. It is the independent government agency responsible for regulating the Nigerian electricity supply industry. Its roles include:

• Setting tariffs (how much customers pay).
• Licensing operators (like DisCos and GenCos).
• Ensuring consumer rights are protected.
• Monitoring the performance of the industry.

When NERC releases a figure like 5.36 million, it’s an official acknowledgment of the problem from the top regulatory body.

The fact that over 5.36 million customers are unmetered is a critical indicator of the dysfunction in Nigeria’s power sector. It’s a problem that hurts everyone: customers face financial injustice, while the industry suffers from crippling losses that prevent it from providing reliable service. While programs like MAP and NMMP are steps in the right direction, overcoming this decades-old challenge requires sustained funding, political will, and efficient execution.