By Destiny Uko
In a bid to improve energy access and promote fair billing, Ikeja Electric PLC has launched the free distribution of prepaid electricity metres to residents of low-income communities in Lagos State.
The rollout, currently underway in areas like Alimosho Local Government Area, is a significant step towards ending years of erratic billing and arbitrary disconnections faced by residents of informal settlements.
For communities such as Oshodi, Aboru, Okota, and Oko-Oba, this initiative marks a long-overdue shift from exploitation to empowerment. For years, residents have endured what they describe as “crazy billing”—monthly charges inflated beyond actual consumption and based on vague estimations.
The joint initiative between Ikeja Electric and the Lagos State Government aims to deploy over 20,000 prepaid metres in densely populated places. According to Daily Trust these meters will help users to manage their energy consumption, prevent overbilling, and reduce arbitrary disconnection practices.
One major benefit of prepaid meters is that they allow consumers to monitor and regulate their electricity usage in real time. For households in urban slums, where incomes are low and irregular, real-time tracking of electricity consumption is essential. Residents can now recharge electricity in small, manageable amounts, reflecting what they actually use.
The new model offers control and predictability. In high-density areas like Agege and Ejigbo, many households live in overcrowded homes and share limited resources. Under the old estimated billing systems, they were often forced to pay more for electricity than for rent, despite using a few appliances.
Prepaid metres, by contrast, allow them to pay only for what they use, giving them a measure of relief and dignity.
A step towards energy justice
The free metering campaign signals a shift: electricity as a right, not as a luxury. When people are given the tools to monitor and control their usage, it fosters trust between the people and power providers, reduces defaults and encourages more responsible energy consumption.
Success depends on more than distribution, though. Sustained community engagement, reliable technical support and clear communication about installation timelines are crucial. The government and electricity distribution companies must ensure transparency and responsiveness.
To strengthen accountability, stakeholders must enforce third-party audits and public dashboards that track metre installations, especially in underserved communities. When civil society can monitor progress, it pressures service providers to stay honest and transparent.
For the families receiving these metres, this initiative is already changing lives. Where they once had no control over their energy bills, now they can track every unit and pay only what they owe. It’s a small change with far-reaching impact.
If implemented successfully and scaled nationwide, the Ikeja Electric initiative could serve as a blueprint for closing Nigeria’s massive metering gap–where over 50% of consumers remain unmetered. The initiative is about the right to energy for all Nigerians.
Ikeja Electric PLC, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, has initiated the free distribution of prepaid electricity meters to low-income communities in Lagos State, targeting areas such as Alimosho, Oshodi, Aboru, Okota, and Oko-Oba. This campaign aims to address erratic billing and arbitrary disconnections experienced by residents. By providing over 20,000 prepaid meters, the initiative seeks to empower consumers to monitor their energy usage in real-time, manage their consumption effectively, and eliminate inflated billing based on estimations.
The introduction of prepaid meters in densely populated, low-income communities allows households to purchase electricity in small increments, fostering financial predictability and dignity. Additionally, this program highlights the commitment to energy justice, emphasizing electricity as a fundamental right. Success hinges on factors beyond distribution, including ongoing community engagement, technical support, transparency, and governance measures, such as third-party audits and public dashboards, to ensure accountability and transparency. If implemented effectively and expanded nationwide, this initiative could offer a viable solution to Nigeria's metering gap, where over 50% of consumers currently lack meters.
