FCCPC Backs Lagos Plan to End Estimated Billing, Mandate Smart Meters
By Aboki Forex —
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has thrown its weight behind the Lagos State government’s decision to phase out estimated electricity billing. The commission described the move as a major step toward fairness and transparency in Nigeria’s power sector.
In a statement released on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the FCCPC said the reform would improve service delivery, strengthen consumer protection, and restore confidence in electricity distribution. Smart metering will play a central role in the new system.
According to a report by Vanguard, the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) unveiled plans to enforce laws against supplying electricity to customers without meters. The agency will speed up the deployment of smart meters across the state.
The new measures include mandatory metering from 2026, phased smart meter installation on a feeder-by-feeder basis, tougher supervision of electricity distribution companies, faster complaint resolution processes, and penalties for operators that fail to comply with regulations.
The push for reform gained urgency after Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, raised an alarm in April 2025. He had received an estimated bill of N29 million from the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKDC).
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said estimated billing has remained one of the biggest complaints among electricity consumers in Nigeria. He stated: “Estimated billing remains one of the leading sources of consumer complaints within Nigeria’s power sector. Measures that accelerate metering and improve billing transparency are important to consumer protection and overall market accountability.”
Bello explained that accurate metering would help eliminate unfair charges, reduce disputes between consumers and electricity providers, and increase public trust in the system. He also urged regulators in other states and subnational governments to adopt reforms similar to Lagos. This would accelerate metering and improve oversight of electricity service providers nationwide.
The FCCPC further stressed the importance of effective complaint resolution mechanisms and clear service standards. These are key to boosting consumer confidence and enhancing the performance of the power sector.
The commission also called on electricity distribution companies and other industry stakeholders to cooperate fully with ongoing reforms. The goal is to improve metering, service quality, transparency, and accountability across Nigeria’s electricity market.
In related news, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has signalled another adjustment to electricity tariffs. The commission said the proposed tariff adjustment will help in its desire for improved service delivery. However, an increase in tariffs will bring more headaches to Nigerians already grappling with rising costs of living.