The Federal Government has directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to stop charging customers for meter installation, warning that any official found extorting consumers will be prosecuted.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued the warning on Thursday, January 22, 2026, while inspecting a new batch of smart meters imported under the World Bank–supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme in Lagos.

Adelabu stressed that the meters are to be installed free of charge, describing any demand for payment as illegal. He disclosed that about 500,000 new meters have recently arrived, bringing the total number received to nearly one million, with more than 150,000 already installed across the country.

According to the minister, the initiative is aimed at closing Nigeria’s metering gap, improving transparency in electricity billing, and strengthening the power sector.

He added that the government would closely monitor the installation process and sanction any DisCo official or installer involved in extortion. Adelabu also announced plans to establish a customer complaint desk to enable consumers report illegal demands for money.

“We are not leaving the installation to the DisCos alone. We are creating an interface between installers and consumers to accelerate the pace of installation,” he said.

The minister noted that challenges remain with data and addresses of unmetered customers, but assured that the government is working with DisCos to clean up records and speed up installations.

“Extortion is not allowed. Once confirmed, the officials involved—no matter how highly placed—will be prosecuted and the cases publicised to serve as a deterrent,” Adelabu said, adding that no action by DisCos or installers should undermine government efforts to deliver a stable and reliable power supply to Nigerians.