The electricity sector in Nigeria generates, transmits and distributes megawatts(MW) of electric power that is significantly less than what is needed to meet basic household and industrial needs. Nigeria has twenty-three (23) power generating plants connected to the national grid with the capacity to generate 11,165.4 MW of electricity.
These plants are managed by generation companies (GenCos), independent power providers, and Niger Delta Holding Company. In 2012, the industry labored to distribute 5,000 MW, very much less than the 40,000 MW needed to sustain the basic needs of the population.
In Nigeria, there are 11 electricity distribution companies. These companies are saddled with the responsibility of distributing electricity to certain areas. Popularly referred to as Discos, Nigerian distribution companies each cover one or more states.
Meter related issues like acquiring a prepaid meter, checking debt profile, migrating from one billing system to another is usually carried out by these companies. Since it can be inconvenient to travel down to these offices, issues can be resolved by discos through one phone call or an email.
The roll out of prepaid electricity meters in Nigeria commenced in may 2019 and customers are already being metered according to the regulations of the scheme provided by NERC. A meter service provider (MSP) means a person certified by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as a manufacturer, supplier, vendor, or installer of Electric Energy meters and or metering systems.
There are 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in Nigeria and these prepaid meters providers are responsible for providing electricity meters to the customers of these electricity distribution companies.
Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in Nigeria
- Abuja Electricity Distribution Company
Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, FCT, Niger, Kogi , and Nassarawa, abuja
- Benin Electricity Distribution Company
No 5 Akpakpava Street, Benin-City, Edo, Delta, Ondo, and part of Ekiti, benin
- Enugu Electricity Distribution Company
No 12 Station Road, Okpara Avenue, Enugu, Enugu, Abia, Imo , Anambra and Ebonyi, enugu
- Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company
Capital Building, 115 Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara and part of Ekiti , ibadan
- Jos Electricity Distribution Company
No 9 Ahmadu Bello Way, Jos, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue and Gombe, jos
- Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company
Nagwamatse Building, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna, Kaduna,Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, kaduna
- Kano Electricity Distribution Company
No 1 Niger Street, P.M.B. 3089, Kano, Kano, Jigawa and Katsina, kano
- Eko Electricity Distribution Company
24/25 Marina, Lagos, Lagos, eko
- Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company
Secretariat Road, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, ikeja
- Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company
No 42 Obiwali Road, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom, ph
- Yola Electricity Distribution Company
No 2 Atiku Abubakar Road, Jimeta Yola, Yola, Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe, yola
The MAPs charge an upfront amount of 36,991.50 NGN for single phase meters and 67,055.85 NGN for three phase meters respectively. These cost of meters are inclusively of supply, installation, maintenance and replacement of meters over its technical life.
Prepaid meters will be installed in the premises of the customers within 10 working days of making payment to MAPs in accordance with section 18 (3) of the MAP Regulations 2018.
Power Generation in Nigeria
Electricity in Nigeria is generated through thermal and hydropower sources. The main source of electricity generation comes from fossil fuels especially gas which accounts for 86% of the capacity in Nigeria with the remainder generated from hydropower sources.
Before the beginning of the Fourth Nigerian republic, power generation was mainly the federal government’s responsibility through NEPA. But reforms started in 2005 with the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) signing opened up the industry to private investors.
In 2010, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) was established as a credible off-taker of electric power from generation companies. In 2014, the sector was privatized with three groups having the responsibility of providing power. By November 2013, the privatization of all generation and 11 distribution companies was completed, with the Federal Government retaining the ownership of the transmission company.
Current Full List of Meter Asset Providers (MAP) in Nigeria
Listed below is a list of the prepaid meter suppliers in Nigeria approved by NERC.
- Mojec International Limited
- G-Unit Engineering Ltd
- CWG Plc
- Sabrud Consortium Nigeria Ltd
- Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Ltd
- Integrated Resources Ltd
- Tinuten Nigeria Ltd
- Armese Consulting Ltd
- Triple 7
- Turbo Energy Ltd
- Chris Ejik International Agencies Ltd
- FLT Energy System Ltd
- Inlaks Power Solution Ltd
- New Hampshire Capital Ltd
- Consolidated Infrastructure Group Ltd
- Bilview Energy Ltd
- Chintech Electro Nigeria Ltd
- Holley Metering Ltd
- MEMCOL
- Meron Nigeria Ltd
- Integrated Power
- MBH Power, Trimani Engineering
- Sapropel Energy Resources
- Megawatt Distribution International
- Unistar Hi-Tech Systems
- Imperial Infrastructure Development Company
- Ratio Consulting
- Protogy Global Services
- Paktim Metering
- Sabrud Consortium
- BTS Power
- CIG Metering Assets
- Cresthill Energy
Wrapping Up
Electricity generation in Nigeria began in Lagos in 1886 with the use of generators to provide 60 kW. In 1923 tin miners installed a 2 MW plant on the Kwali River, six years later, the Nigerian Electricity Supply Company, a private firm was established near Jos to manage a hydroelectric plant at Kura to power the mining industry. Then another private enterprise was established in Sapele by United Africa Company to power the activities of African Timber and Plywood Company.
Between 1886 and 1945, electric power generation was rather low with power provided largely to Lagos and other commercial centers such as mining industries in Jos and Enugu. The colonial government created an electricity department within the Public Works Department which then installed generating sets in many cities to serve government reservation areas and commercial centers.
In 1950, the Legislative Council of Nigeria began moves to integrate the electricity industry when it enacted a law to establish the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) with the duties of developing and supplying electricity. ECN took over the electricity sector activities within PWD and the generating sets of Native Authorities. In 1951, the firm managed 46 MW of electricity.
Between 1952 and 1960, the firm established coal-powered turbines at Oji and Ijora, Lagos and began making preliminary plans for a transmission network to link the power generating sites with other commercial centers. In 1961, ECN completed a 132 kV transmission line linking Lagos to Ibadan via Shagamu, in 1965, this line was extended to Oshogbo, Benin, and Ughelli to form the Western System.
In 1962, a statutory organization, the Niger Dams Authority (NDA) was formed to build and maintain dams along River Niger and Kaduna River, NDA went on to commission a 320 MW hydropower plant at Kainji in 1969 with the power generated sold to ECN. In 1972 NDA and ECN merged to form the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). NEPA was the major electricity firm in Nigeria until power sector reforms resulted in the creation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and later privatization of electricity generation and distribution.