On Monday, November 11, electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) voiced their frustration after Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) announced an increase in the prices of prepaid meters. The new prices, which took effect from November 5, have sparked outrage among residents who are already struggling with Nigeria’s tough economic situation.
The price hike came just months after an earlier increase in August 2024, leaving many consumers worried about affordability and accessibility. Under the new price regime, the cost of a single-phase meter has jumped from about N117,000 to N149,800, an increase of around N32,800. Meanwhile, the price of a three-phase meter has risen from N206,345 to as much as N236,500, depending on the distribution company.
Many residents shared their shock and disappointment with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Mrs. Alice Ogar, who lives in Lugbe, said she was told the price of a single-phase meter had gone up to N148,000, even though she had budgeted for the original price of N117,000. “Everything keeps going up every day; it took me time to put this money together. I don’t know how to raise the extra amount,” she said.
Other consumers expressed similar concerns. Mr. Edem Okon from Kubwa said that last month, his neighbour bought a three-phase meter for N206,345, but when he went to purchase his own, the price had jumped to N236,500. “Nothing is cheap, and this is affecting everyone,” Okon said.
Mrs. Itohan Efosa, a resident of Apo Resettlement, said the price increase had made it even harder for her to purchase a meter to replace her estimated billing. “This setback is discouraging,” she explained. Mr. Frank Oloton, also from Kubwa, suggested the government should consider giving out free meters, as they did in the past, to help consumers avoid the high costs of prepaid meters.
Mr. Jude Okolo, another Kubwa resident, expressed his concern that the price hike would encourage DisCos to continue with estimated billing, which many consumers find unfair. “People are struggling to feed their families, and now this,” Okolo said. “The government should find a way to help ease the burden.”
Under the new pricing system, customers in different areas will pay varying amounts for prepaid meters. For example, customers with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) will pay between N123,130 and N147,812 for a single-phase meter, and N206,345 to N236,500 for a three-phase meter. Other DisCos, including Ibadan, Kano, and Kaduna, have set similar price ranges.
