NERC orders DisCos to refund N20.33bn to prepaid meter customers

Electricity organisation companies (DisCos) successful Nigeria are facing caller fiscal unit pursuing a directive by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) ordering them to refund N20.33 cardinal to customers who purchased prepaid meters nether the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.

The directive, contained successful an amended bid issued by the regulator connected March 1, 2026, requires the powerfulness organisation companies to reimburse affected customers wrong 12 months.

According to the order, the refunds volition beryllium credited straight to customers’ energy bills successful adjacent instalments passim the repayment period.

Industry stakeholders accidental the directive comes astatine a clip erstwhile galore organisation companies are already grappling with terrible liquidity challenges crossed the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

A elder manager astatine the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said the directive could further strain the fiscal capableness of operators.

“These challenges person importantly constrained the currency travel disposable to organisation companies for infrastructure maintenance, web expansion, and metering investments,” the authoritative said.

Power assemblage expert Ayodele Oni said though the directive supports user protection, it could worsen the fiscal difficulties...