The Federal Government has taken delivery of 1.5 million smart electricity metres, with Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu inspecting 23 containers of the devices at Apapa Port on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Speaking, the Minister explained that the 1.5 million smart metres inspected represent a significant portion of the 3.4 million units being procured by the Federal Government under the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP).
Adelabu who disclosed that 150,000 metres have already been installed for customers out of one million received earlier.
The Minister also inspected the progress of work at newly rehabilitated 2x60 MVA 132/33kV Gas Insulation Substation (GIS) of TCN by the Japanese International
Corporation agency (JICA). The station on completion is expected to improve power supply to Papa and its environs.
While inspecting tested metres at NEMSA’s warehouse in Oshodi, Lagos, the Minister directed that the smart meters should be distributed for free to customers, warning that any Distribution Company that goes against the directive shall face the consequences.
Speaking in an interview in one of the inspection sites, The Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider(TSP), in Transmission Company of Nigeria, (TCN), Engr. Dr. Oluwabenga Ajiboye said that TCN is the special purpose vehicle (SPV) used to achieve the metre procurement. He added that the Company handled the fund and procurement because the world bank wanted a Federal Government agency to handle that aspect.
On his part, the Project Manager, World Bank Project Implementation Unit in TCN, Engr. Tukur Bamalli, said that the development was a sign that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu is ready to close the metering gap.
He added that local manufacturers have concluded a bidding process which would soon be signed to produce 250,000 meters
for all the distribution companies
In the minister’s entourage were the Managing Director of TCN, represented by the Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider (TSP), Engr. Dr. Oluwabenga Ajiboye, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi and other senior officials from the Ministry of Power and Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).