News
FG bans meter charges, warns DisCos, installers of prosecution
…says Electric Meter is free
The Federal Government has prohibited electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and their installers from charging consumers for meter installation, warning that any official or contractor caught extorting customers will face prosecution.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued the warning on Thursday during an on-site inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos.
Adelabu explained that the meters were procured under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) and must be installed for electricity consumers free of charge, stressing that any demand for payment would be treated as a criminal offence.
The minister, who was received at the Apapa Port Command of the Nigerian Customs Service by Area Controller Emmanuel Oshoba, expressed satisfaction with the arrival of another tranche of 500,000 smart meters imported under DISREP.
He said the meters would be distributed to all electricity customers, irrespective of tariff band, stressing:
“I want to mention that it is unprecedented that these meters are to be installed and distributed to consumers free of charge—free of charge! Nobody should collect money from any consumer. It is an illegality. It is an offence for the officials of distribution companies across Nigeria to request a dime before installation; even the indirect installers cannot ask consumers for a dime.
It has to be installed free of charge so that billings and collections will improve for the sector.
“The main objective of coming here today is to carry out a physical on-site inspection of shipments of smart meters that the Federal Government has imported under the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme. This programme is supporting the Federal Government to import a total of about 3.4 million meters in two batches; the first batch is 1.43 million meters, out of which we have received close to about a million meters. Currently, almost 150,000 meters have already been installed across all distribution companies in the country.
“And what we have today is close to 500,000 meters that we just received. They are all smart meters, and I believe that the journey of completely eliminating the meter gap in the Nigerian power sector has just begun,”
Adelabu, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of metering nationwide.
He expressed optimism that within a few years, every household, business, and institution would be fully metered, leading to transparent, fair, and just billing, while also improving consumer willingness to pay and strengthening liquidity in the power sector.
“I’m quite excited and elated with what’s happening because it’s unprecedented. This is the first time in the history of this country that a government will be importing and locally buying this number of meters to ensure that the power sector is completely transformed. This is like walking the talk. Our target reform in the sector is not just verbal. Nigerians can see that this is real; it’s not just a promise of the tongue.
“We said it is free. We are not saying this behind closed doors. We are telling Nigerians that the distribution and installation of these meters in every location is free of charge, and it is declared an offence—an illegality—for any DisCo official or installer to request money from the beneficiaries of these meters. We will track and monitor this installation. We also await tip-offs. We have the regulatory commission (NERC), which has offices in some of these locations, and the state regulatory authorities also have offices in each state.
“We are going to open a customer complaint desk whereby, if you notice any such requests for illegal money, you report it, and the authorities will follow up. We are not leaving the installation to the DisCos alone; we’re also creating an interface between the installers and consumers to accelerate the pace of installation. We have some issues with the data and addresses of unmetered customers. We are working hand-in-hand with the DisCos to ensure clean data so that we can accelerate installation.
“We also want to maintain a register whereby unmetered customers can register their names. Once we have a list, we will validate it with the DisCos, improving the pace of installation. We are looking for confirmed cases of requests for money by any DisCo official or installer. Nigerians will know what we can do, and it will serve as a deterrent for others not to commit such an offence or illegality. That’s the plan.
“Extortion is not allowed, but there must be confirmed cases of such extortion, and the officials involved—no matter how high—will be prosecuted. It will be publicised and serve as a deterrent to others with similar intentions. We will not allow that. This is a government effort, and no activity of a DisCo or installer should frustrate government efforts to ensure that life is made easy for Nigerians and that we have a stable, reliable, and functional power sector,”
The minister added that the Tinubu administration is addressing a decades-long metering and liquidity challenge in the power sector.
“But the boldness, courage, and political will of the government to go ahead with this should be commended. We will track it end-to-end to ensure that the government’s effort is well implemented and our desired objectives are achieved.
“The aggregate meter gap covers all categories of customers. We are not discriminating. We are prioritising every Nigerian, every customer, every electricity user. The issue of Band A, Band B, or Band C is temporary; it is our systematic way of ensuring this reform reaches everyone. The meters will be given to all levels of customers and not restricted to a single band. I am committing to that,”
Responding to concerns raised by journalists over the feasibility of free meter deployment, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayo Gbeleyi, said the bureau coordinates DISREP implementation on behalf of the Federal Government and sits on the boards of all 11 DisCos.
“Regarding concerns that DisCos are delaying meter installations, you will soon see a new order or circular from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission prescribing the protocols and processes DisCos must follow to ensure unhindered access for meter installations.
“We are monitoring this. We have our dashboard, trackers, and all stakeholders’ hands on deck to ensure seamless and rapid deployment of these meters. One more thing—the meters here are manufactured to the specific requirements of each DisCo. They are inscribed on the meter, with an anti-theft protocol embedded. The configuration is for a particular DisCo, so a meter configured for Eko DisCo cannot be installed in Ibadan.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of Mojec, Mojisola Abdul, said the meters supplied by the Federal Government are designed to boost revenue generation and improve power supply.
“I’m telling you, physically, we have installed almost 150,000 meters, and they are free. Don’t give anybody money. You are not allowed. We had a meeting Wednesday with the minister and the DG of BPE about further progress on making it easy for every Nigerian. We are calling it mobile registration of free meters. If you register today, your meter will be installed within three days,”
Addressing concerns over delays following previous meter applications and payments, the minister reassured Nigerians:
“This is our country. It is valid that there will be apprehensions and reservations because of past experiences. Previously, there was limited meter availability, and payment was required.
“But this programme has two advantages: first, the volume is now sufficient—we have received almost 1 million meters, with another 1.55 million meters coming in the second phase. Second, the meters must be installed free of charge. The complications experienced in the past will be completely eliminated. We had a meeting on Wednesday for almost two to three hours to discuss all existing complications and foreseeable difficulties, and I assure you we already have effective solutions to all these problems.”
Adelabu also visited the National Meter Test Station in Oshodi, where meters are tested by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency to ensure compliance with standards. Nigeria currently has over five million electricity customers under estimated billing.
A newlywed wife has been arrested by the Jigawa State Police Command over the alleged poisoning of her husband, who died after consuming a meal prepared by her.
The incident occurred on January 23, 2026, at about 1700hrs at Gauza village in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
Confirming the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Dutse, the state capital, on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, said the deceased reportedly took his lunch at home before he suddenly fell seriously ill.
According to the police spokesperson, the man was rushed to the hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead while receiving treatment.
Following the incident, detectives from the Jahun Division swung into action and arrested the wife of the deceased as the principal suspect.
SP Shi’isu Adam said that “during interrogation, the suspect confessed to poisoning her husband’s food with rat poison.”
He added that the “suspect claimed she sent her cousin to purchase the rat poison used in committing the act.”
According to the PPRO, the suspect reportedly stated that she was forced into the marriage by her parents, a situation she claimed led to her actions.
However, the police spokesperson said the Jigawa State Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse.
He said upon the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect would be charged to court for prosecution.
Meanwhile, the police command urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding and to seek lawful means of resolving family and marital disputes.
The statement further “advised against taking laws into one’s hands, noting that such actions often result in irreversible consequences.”
Accordingly, the police assured the public of the command’s commitment to justice and the protection of lives and property across the state.
“The police will ensure that justice is served in this case,” the PPRO said, adding that “the suspect is currently in police custody, awaiting trial.”
The Anambra State Government has announced the termination of the Monday sit-at-home in the state “with immediate effect”.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Board Secretary, Mgbemena Loveline E., on behalf of the state universal basic education board.
It also warned that errant civil servants who flout the directive would either receive 20 per cent of their salary or forfeit it entirely.
“Sequel to the state exco retreat held on January 21, 2026, presided by the Executive Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, I am directed to inform you that the state government has directed, and also as a decision, that the protracted Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State has been abolished with immediate effect.
“By this directive, any staff, both tutorial and non-tutorial, who fail to attend to school or the office on Monday will either receive 20 per cent of his/her salary or forfeit it entirely,” the statement partly read.
“You are to bring the content of this letter to the notice of all staff under you and ensure adequate compliance.
“Please be properly guided, as the above is the executive decision of the state government,” it added.
Monday Shutdown
For years, large parts of Anambra State have observed the weekly sit-at-home on Mondays — a shutdown that has grounded commercial and social activities across the state.
Originally imposed by non-state actors in the South-East, the practice led to fear and reluctance among residents to go about normal business, with markets, schools, and workplaces often deserted at the start of the week.
The sit-at-home order has been widely seen as harmful to the state’s economic life.
Traders, transport workers, and students have been forced to remain indoors on Mondays, disrupting livelihoods and slowing economic momentum in key commercial hubs such as Onitsha.
Lawmakers and stakeholders in the state have described the paralysis of business activities as damaging to the local economy, with repeated calls for residents to open shops and return to work.
Governor Soludo has been at the forefront of official efforts to end the weekly closures.
In April 2022, Soludo formally declared an end to the sit-at-home in Anambra, announcing that the directive would no longer be observed and offering amnesty to youths still in hideouts as part of measures to restore peace and normal economic life.
He also said a peace and reconciliation committee would be set up to address challenges and engage with federal authorities on behalf of detained persons.
In more recent statements, Soludo has noted that the sit-at-home phenomenon has largely diminished and that those still observing Mondays at home do so by personal choice rather than because of insecurity.
He emphasised that the state is now secure, urging residents to take advantage of the improved environment to resume normal business activities.
Despite official pronouncements, some residents have continued to observe the practice out of caution.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered an illegal factory producing counterfeit Goya oil .
The agency has also dismantled a large syndicate involved in the production and distribution of fake alcoholic beverages in Lagos, warning that the activities pose serious threats to public health.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, Mr Martins Iluyomade, said the discoveries were made during routine surveillance and enforcement operations conducted over the past few weeks.
According to him, NAFDAC operatives uncovered an illicit production site within the Oke-Arin Market area of Lagos, where fake Goya oil was being locally manufactured and packaged for sale.
“The genuine Goya oil is imported into Nigeria through a reputable company, and original products are still in circulation. However, we discovered that some individuals were faking the product and producing it within the market,” Iluyomade said.
He explained that the counterfeit oil was produced by burning palm oil and adding chlorine, using crude equipment such as stoves, before refilling and repackaging the mixture into empty containers.
Iluyomade warned Nigerians, particularly churches and prayer houses where the oil is commonly used, that original Goya oil is never packaged in plastic (PET) bottles.
“There is no original Goya oil in plastic bottles. The authentic product comes only in glass bottles. Anywhere you see it being sold in PET bottles, report it to the nearest NAFDAC office,” he cautioned.
He further expressed concern over the growing use of fake anointing oils in religious settings, describing the practice as dangerous.
“Some people even drink anointing oil. You are not drinking anointing oil; you are drinking poison,” he warned.
Iluyomade said NAFDAC’s enforcement strategy focuses on stopping production at the source rather than penalising unsuspecting traders.
“Once we stop production, whatever is already in circulation will naturally dry up. We do not want to compound the problem of market women and others who may not be aware. But for the producers, it is the end of the road,” he stated.
He appealed to religious organisations to cooperate with the agency to prevent the sale or use of the counterfeit product within their premises.
In a related development, Iluyomade revealed that NAFDAC also dismantled a major syndicate involved in the counterfeiting of alcoholic drinks in Lagos, describing the practice as widespread and highly lucrative for criminals.
“The faking of alcoholic drinks has become seriously endemic in Nigeria because it is one of the easiest products to counterfeit,” he said.
He disclosed that a suspect, identified as Mr Moses Nelson, was arrested in the Badagry area of Lagos and has since been charged to court. According to him, a wide range of fake alcoholic brands were recovered from the suspect’s residence, with the syndicate operating a distribution network supplying major markets across Lagos.
NAFDAC has warned distributors and retailers against patronising unauthorised suppliers, reiterating its commitment to protecting public health and ridding the market of fake and substandard products.
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