Why Metering and Stronger Distribution Networks Are Key to Reliable Power in Nigeria
Nigeria’s electricity challenge is not only about generating power. The biggest weakness is often at the distribution level, where electricity must be measured accurately and delivered reliably to homes and businesses. Estimated billing undermines trust and reduces collections. Customers may refuse to pay bills for power they believe they did not use, while DisCos lack reliable consumption data and struggle to fund upgrades. Faster deployment of smart, tamper-resistant meters, transparent procurement and realistic repayment plans for disputed legacy bills could help end this cycle. Distribution infrastructure also needs urgent attention. Overloaded transformers, ageing conductors and outdated switchgear contribute to heavy losses, outages and safety risks. Rehabilitating critical feeders, installing automation for quicker fault isolation, enforcing equipment standards and rewarding improved uptime would strengthen the last mile. A properly metered and better-maintained grid would improve revenue, attract investment, reduce businesses’ dependence on diesel generators and make it easier to integrate renewable energy. Fixing distribution may be less visible than building new power plants, but it is essential to making electricity supply reliable and financially sustainable.
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