DisCos have sparked a dispute in Nigeria over meter upgrade fees, with a November 24 deadline approaching.
While they argue the upgrades are necessary for better service, customers see the cost as an unfair burden.
A new controversy has emerged in Nigeria’s electricity sector, with Distribution Companies (DisCos) clashing with consumers over meter upgrade fees.
Customers have been given a deadline of November 24, to replace outdated meters or face being switched to estimated billing.
The move has sparked frustration among Nigerians, who view the new fees as an unfair financial burden in an already struggling economy.
Many feel it’s yet another injustice in a system they perceive as unreliable and overpriced.
It Is Too Much
For instance, Abike John, a mother of three from Lagos, shared her concerns: “I’ve been managing my electricity expenses carefully, and now they want me to pay for a meter I’m already struggling to recharge.
Why can’t they absorb the cost?” Similarly, Adebayo Sulaimon, another Lagos resident, added, “We’re already struggling with high tariffs; now we have to pay for meters as well.
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“It’s too much”.
However, DisCos defend the move, arguing that the meter upgrades are essential for improving service and reducing errors.
A senior representative explained that “it’s like upgrading your phone from an iPhone 5 to an iPhone 16.
“Customers who comply will benefit from improved billing accuracy”.
Moreover, the controversy deepened when Ikeja Electric Plc and Eko Electricity Distribution Company informed customers with old Unistar meters that they must replace them by November 24 or face estimated billing.
In response, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission intervened, urging the DisCos to reconsider, given the added financial strain on Nigerians already grappling with high inflation and rising energy costs.
