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Electricity: Free meters distribution begins today ahead of new tariff

By Fola Raheem
Distribution of free electricity meters is expected to commence across the country today as indication has emerged that power customers may start paying new rate for electricity consumed from next week.
Already, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has through its Development Financing Department, released a framework for the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).
The National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) will roll out the free meters with a simultaneous launch of the scheme in Kano, Kaduna, Eko and Ikeja Disco franchise areas, according to a Presidency source.
President Muhammadu Buhari had initiated the programme to close the metering gap in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry and eliminate arbitrary estimated billing in the electricity sector.
Newstrends learnt that all arrangements for the launch had been concluded with relevant groups and authorities including representatives of the organised labour and civil society on the ground for adequate motoring and guide during the distribution.
The CBN said an analysis provided by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission put the metering gap in the NESI – based on recent customer enumeration data – at over 10 million.
“This comprises unmetered customers as well as customers with obsolete meters that need to be replaced,” it stated.
The Presidency source said the “NMMP is to roll out six million meters for all connections points on grid without meters over the next 18 to 24 months, estimating to impact 30 million consumers nationwide.
“Following Mr President’s directive on mass metering, the Central Bank of Nigeria, on October 18th, approved guidelines for funding the mass metering programme which entailed that all meters under the scheme will be locally sourced, creating thousands of manufacturing jobs through lead manufacturers such as MOMAS, MOJEC and others.”
The source also said, “The launch of the NMMP will be part of a continuous effort where all DisCos will go from location to location across the country with their respective Meter Asset Providers to install meters for all Nigerians.”
Minister of State for Power, Prince Godwin Jedy-Agba, had said out of the six million meters planned for distribution, the government would start with one million were expected to be distributed before the end of December this year.
Meanwhile, the government may have given a nod for the resumption of the collection of Service-Based electricity Tariffs (SBT) from next week.
Following a threat of strike by the organised labour, government suspended the implementation of the new electricity tariff regime in September.
But it was learnt on Friday that the labour might have backed down on the issue after the government had agreed to roll out free electricity meters.
It was also resolved that the tariffs for certain categories of power consumers should be reviewed downward.
Those in A and B bands were reduced by 10 per cent, the tariff for C band customers was reduced by 30 per cent.
For the D and E bands, there will be no increase in their tariff.
The Special Adviser on Infrastructure to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Ahmad Zakari, confirmed this during the 51st virtual Power Dialogue organised by Nigeria Electricity Hub in Abuja on Thursday.
He said since labour had accepted the new terms, the implementation would begin next week.
News
Tinubu’s economic reforms making Nigeria more investible — UK Envoy

Tinubu’s economic reforms making Nigeria more investible — UK Envoy
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as “big and bold” initiatives that have transformed Nigeria into a more attractive destination for investors.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Montgomery acknowledged that the UK’s interest in Nigeria is growing, citing the positive impact of recent economic policies.
“I’ve been very public previously about commending the big and bold economic reforms being taken by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Montgomery stated.
Highlighting key policy changes, he pointed to the abolition of fuel subsidies and the unification of the exchange rate system as crucial steps toward economic stability.
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According to him, these measures are already yielding results, positioning Nigeria as a more “investible” nation.
“My headline this morning is that these economic reforms are paying off, and they are now making Nigeria more investible,” he added.
Montgomery, however, acknowledged the economic strain on Nigerians due to rising inflation, currently hovering in the mid-20 percent range. He noted that while the reforms are transformative, their benefits might take time to materialize fully.
“I realise that some of these reforms for ordinary people are painful. Inflation is still high, it’s in the 20 percent territory, the mid-20s. And it’s going to take time to bring that rate down,” he remarked.
Despite the current economic challenges, the High Commissioner expressed optimism, predicting that inflation rates would begin to ease over the coming months and years, further solidifying Nigeria’s position as an attractive investment hub.
Tinubu’s economic reforms making Nigeria more investible — UK Envoy
News
Tinubu presents N1.78tn FCT budget to Senate, seeks speedy approval

Tinubu presents N1.78tn FCT budget to Senate, seeks speedy approval
President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a proposed N1.783 trillion budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Senate, seeking speedy approval for the 2025 fiscal year.
In a formal message to the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday, the President called for urgent consideration of the bill, emphasizing its importance in delivering a functional and responsive administration for FCT residents.
To expedite the legislative process, the Senate activated Order 78, which allowed the appropriation bill to pass its second reading on the same day it was introduced.
Despite the swift movement, the procedure was met with resistance. Senator Abdul Ningi, a member of the opposition, objected under Order 77 (3 and 4), arguing that lawmakers had not received copies of the bill before the discussion commenced.
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The Senate subsequently proceeded with a debate on the bill’s general principles.
Presenting the proposal, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the bill aims to permit the release of ₦1,783,823,708,392.00 from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund. These funds are intended to cover personnel, overhead, and capital expenses from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
According to Bamidele, the budget allocates ₦150.35 billion for personnel expenses, ₦343.78 billion for overhead costs, and ₦1.29 trillion for capital development.
He stressed that the core goal of the budget is to sustain a results-driven administration with the continuation of existing projects in the FCT and the introduction of new ones deemed crucial.
Tinubu presents N1.78tn FCT budget to Senate, seeks speedy approval
News
Constitution: Reps reject proposal for rotational presidency

Constitution: Reps reject proposal for rotational presidency
The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted down a bill that proposed rotating the office of the president among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
During the session presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, lawmakers also rejected six additional constitutional amendment bills. All seven proposals failed to pass the crucial second reading stage.
Among the bills was one seeking to transfer the authority to register and regulate political parties from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a newly proposed Office of the Registrar General of Political Parties. This legislation was sponsored by Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and Hon. Francis E. Waive.
Another notable bill—tabled by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu—sought to institutionalize rotational leadership at the federal level, specifically between the six zones: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West.
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Also defeated was a proposal by Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere aimed at establishing and empowering independent Offices of the Auditors-General at the local government level and in the Federal Capital Territory. According to the bill, the initiative was designed to enhance fiscal responsibility and governance at the grassroots.
Hon. Ihonvbere also fronted a bill advocating for the increase in the number of judges in the Federal High Court to a minimum of 100, a measure that did not survive the House vote.
In a related effort, lawmakers rejected a constitutional amendment expanding the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction to include admiralty matters such as shipping, inland waterways—including the River Niger and River Benue—and federal ports.
Additionally, the chamber turned down a bill granting the National Judicial Council (NJC) authority to determine and review, in collaboration with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the remuneration of judicial officers and judiciary staff.
Finally, a motion to create Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State, brought forward by Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, also failed to gain the necessary support.
Initially, all seven proposals were bundled and voted on as a group but were rejected outright. Subsequent efforts to conduct separate votes also failed, despite intervention from the House Committee on Rules and Business, which suggested revisiting the motions on Wednesday.
Constitution: Reps reject proposal for rotational presidency
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