Following the digitalisation of basically every gadget in the 21st century, private, personal, and domestic items seem to have been affected the most. From handsets to digital washing machines, no stone here has been left unearthed, including electric meters.
However, these devices operate and stay on through the provision of electric power supply creating a need to balance availability and payment for this service, particularly in Nigeria.
Fortunately, electricity meters have also been digitalised to give a pay-as-you-go feel in the use of this service. This is made possible by the introduction of prepaid meters, which provides numerous advantages both to electricity companies and consumers.
How to apply for prepaid meter in Nigeria is a process many, if not every Nigerian would find interesting.
Constant electricity supply in Nigeria is already a struggle and to add salt to injury, there are the mind-blowing charges attached to the little or no electricity supply because the electricity companies provide what they call “estimated bills”.
Consumers in Nigeria get estimated bills when they do not have meters installed. So, the electricity company arbitrarily estimate what the consumption might be using obscure criteria that no one seems to understand or know for that matter. Consequently, the government’s estimation of the power supply used by consumers is extremely poor, hence, the poor billing system, resulting in outrageous charges.
As it is, the only remedy for consumers is the prepaid meters, which give users control over how much electricity (when available) they consume and hence bill they are reliable to pay.
While there are benefits of using the prepaid meter, it still won’t bring an end to the issue of a lack of constant electric power supply and distribution in the country.
However, it will definitely give you a break from the crazy billing system. You get to live with electricity supply on your own terms.
Whether you’ve recently moved into a new property with a prepaid meter already installed, or you’re thinking of having one installed, you may have questions about how these prepaid meters work.
We’re here for you. Here is our compiled information put-together to guide you on how it works. While this information focuses on using prepaid meters in Lagos State, they apply broadly to all other states in Nigeria. Just be sure you are purchasing the meter from your state’s authorised distribution company dealer.
Electricity distribution companies in Nigeria
There are 11 electricity distribution companies in Nigeria. The companies were privatised in 2013 although the federal government retains shares in them. Their activities are overseen by the National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC).
- Abuja Distribution Company: Serves FCT, Kogi, Nassarawa, and Niger.
- Benin Distribution Company: Serves Delta, Edo, Ekiti states and Ondo.
- Eko Distribution Company: Serves Lagos, Ogun, and Agbara.
- Enugu Distribution Company: Serves Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states
- Ibadan Distribution Company: Serves Kwara, Ogun, Osun, and Oyo
- Ikeja Distribution Company (Ikeja Electric): Serves customers in parts of Lagos State
- Jos Distribution Company: Serves Benue, Gombe, Bauchi, and Plateau.
- Kaduna Distribution Company: Serves Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
- Kano Electricity Distribution Company: Serves Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina.
- Port Harcourt Distribution Company: Serves Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa states, Cross River and Rivers
- Yola Distribution Company: Serves Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe states.
What is a prepaid meter?
Prepaid meters are energy meters that require you to pay for your energy in advance before consumption.
It is just like a recharge card for your mobile phone, and it reads per usage.
This is actually what everyone needs since energy costs are constantly on the rise. Using prepaid meters helps to avoid getting into debt with your electricity supplier.
How does prepaid meter work in Nigeria?
The prepaid meter tracks how much energy you use just like a traditional meter.
However, instead of being billed for how much you use on a monthly or yearly basis, you will pay for your energy upfront and use up that ‘credit’ as you go along.
This means you have to recharge your meter from an approved vendor to have energy credit available to pay for your electricity before you use them.
How can I get a prepaid meter in Lagos?
How to get prepaid meter under Eko Distribution Company (EKEDC)
You can get a prepaid meter via your distribution company’s authorised meter. This was made possible after NERC issued a framework called MAP that allows consumers to have access to prepaid meters.
MAP is an acronym that stands for Meter Asset Provider framework. It is a regulation issued by NERC and It is designed to fast track closure of the end-user metering gap with a goal of eliminating the practice of “estimated billing ” excepting exceptional cases envisaged under the regulation.
The framework mandates allow distribution companies to engage meter suppliers also known as MAP to provide meters to end-users in their service areas.
Meters provided under the MAP framework will be maintained by the asset providers under the warranty period of 10-15 years.
List of registered MAPs in EKEDC, Lagos state.
- Mojec International Limited
- Bendoricks International Limited
- CIG Metering Assets Nigeria Limited
- Integrated Resources Limited
- Armese Consulting Limited
- Turbo Energy Limited
- Gospell Digital Tech. Limited
How much does it cost to get a prepaid meter in Nigeria: Eko Distribution Company Lagos?
The tariff cost for Meters under the MAP framework would be at a reduced rate. However, customers will be mandated to pay a maintenance fee for the warranty period.
Approved meter prices under MAP framework:
Single Phase: N44,896.17
Three Phase: N82,855.19
Requirements for ordering a prepaid meter Eko Distribution Company
The following requirements are important to note for ordering a prepaid meter.
Clear all outstanding bills: Customers must clear all outstanding bills or agree on a settlement plan with EKEDC before the acquisition of a meter under the MAP framework.
Where customer disputes the outstanding bill, the bill dispute must be resolved before the acquisition of the meter
How to get prepaid meter under Ikeja Distribution Company (Ikeja Electric)
Just like for Eko Distribution Company customers, customers of Ikeja Electricity are expected to clear their outstanding debt or reach an agreement with the company on how to settle any outstanding debt before they can apply for a prepaid meter.
Furthermore, Ikeja Electricity requires customers to go through a KYC process. KYC means Know Your Customer. The process allows the company to identify its customers, their residence or business address for which they are applying for a meter.
Ikeja enforces the KYC process through its online portal, which allows customers to apply and pay for prepaid meters.
Ikeja Electricity did not publish the names of their authorised MAP dealer but you will find them after you have completed or updated your profile on their website.
How much does it cost to get a prepaid meter in Nigeria, Ikeja Electricity?
According to Ikeja Electricity, the cost of prepaid meters under the MAP framework are as follows:
Single Phase: N48,263.37
Three Phase: N89,069.33
Customers are advised never to pay cash for their meters but to pay directly into the bank account of their preferred MAP provider.
For customers who cannot afford to pay the price of meters directly, they can leverage the instalment payment feature available called Meter Service Charge (MSC). The MSC is the monthly repayment of the cost of the meter over time.
How can I recharge my EKEDC prepaid meter?
Recharging your EKEDC prepaid meter can be quite simple if you follow the steps righteously.
Step 1: When there is a power supply in the apartment/shop, plug the Customer Interface Unit to a wall socket. (Note: Socket proximity to the meter does not matter, as long as the socket’s power source is from EKEDC Power Supply).
Switch on the socket to power on the Customer Interface Unit. (Note: The reason for plugging the CUI is to enable the keypad to communicate with the meter through the power source).
Step 2: Please, note the number of combinations and commands on the right-hand side of the keypad. Press 10 to check your meter number or 01 for current available credit.
Step 3: Press the 20 digits correctly into the meter (Note: Bonus Token loaded first if available)
Press the blue enter button.
The feedback response on the meter will be “Accepted”
Step 4: Press 01 on the keypad, followed by the enter button.
The meter will display the currently available credit (if the steps were followed correctly).
However, if you are recharging for the first time or your units got exhausted before purchase:
First, make sure the power supply indicator on your meter is ON. Or that there is a general power supply in the neighbourhood.
Put OFF generator and inverter if you have any.
Put your change over switch on EKEDC Power Supply. (Note: There won’t be power supplied as you have exhausted the units on your meter).
Insert new batteries in the space provided at the back of the Customer Interface Unit to power on the device. If the device does not come on, Press 3 for battery wake up.
Plug the Customer Interface Unit to a wall socket in the apartment/shop, preferably socket for your freezer or fridge. (Note: Socket proximity to the meter does not matter, as long as the socket’s power source is from EKEDC Power Supply).
