By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has called for enhanced stakeholder coordination to rapidly expand electricity meter installations and narrow Nigeria’s persistent metering gap.

This push emerged from the NESI Metering Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Lagos on March 27, 2026, where regulators, industry players, and international partners converged to tackle rollout bottlenecks.

According to a post on NERC’s X handle, key attendees included representatives from the World Bank, Meristem, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NEMSA, Distribution Companies (DisCos), and Meter Asset Providers (MAPs).

NERC highlighted a strategic pivot from merely financing metering initiatives to fostering seamless collaboration.

With four separate metering programmes currently underway, the commission stressed the urgency of aligning efforts to avoid duplication and accelerate deployment.

“Greater synergy among DisCos, meter providers, and other stakeholders is essential to ramp up installations,” a NERC spokesperson noted. This coordinated approach aims to deliver accurate billing, eradicate estimated charges that frustrate consumers, and boost overall market efficiency.

The meeting also underscored the need for a unified communication strategy to heighten public awareness and encourage consumer uptake, as part of NERC’s broader drive for transparency in Nigeria’s electricity sector.

Nigeria currently operates four parallel metering programmes aimed at closing the country’s metering gap and improving efficiency across the power sector. These include the World Bank–funded Nigeria Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), which targets about 3.2 million end-user meters, and the Federation-funded initiative designed to deliver roughly 3.8 million meters alongside about 130,000 distribution transformer (DT) meters.

Also in operation are the DisCo-funded Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), which provides around 125,000 meters to fill coverage gaps, and the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), a technology-driven framework focused on smart metering, improved billing accuracy, and enhanced grid management. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is now working to harmonise these initiatives to prevent duplication and accelerate metering deployment nationwide.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

It was a day of recognition for some unsung Sheroes at the maiden Woman of Power Award organised by Zenith Bank Plc and the Ford Foundation.

The glamorous event took place at the Civic Centre, Lagos, on Saturday, March 28, 2026, with the theme Celebrating Resilience, Leadership, and Generosity.

About 19 women selected from the six geo-political zones in trade, petty manufacturing, education, and agriculture were recognised at the ceremony, which had several personalities in attendance.

Business Post reports that the programme was part of activities to commemorate March as women’s month.

The chief executive of Zenith Bank, Ms Adaora Umeoji, in her speech, praised the awardees and reaffirmed the bank’s strong commitment to women’s empowerment.

“Zenith Bank’s commitment to gender inclusion is not a rhetoric but one of the ethos that the bank holds very dearly,” the banker, represented by one of the bank’s executive directors, Ms Adobi Nwapa, said.

 “Zenith Bank has a 50-50 gender ratio with women occupying strategic positions in the bank’s management and board, up to the current Group Managing Director being the very first female to hold that position,” she added.

On her part, the Regional Director of the Ford Foundation, Ms Chichi Aniagolu, described the Woman of Power Award as an eye-opener, noting that her team’s journey across the country revealed the vast and often overlooked facets of human potential among Nigerian women.

Among those honoured were:

• Mrs Regina Amankulor, a retired nurse empowering young people in Umuode-Nsulu community, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State;
• Mary Matanmi, Coordinator of the Nigeria Association of Hairdressers, Barbers and Cosmetologists, Lagos State chapter;
• Ifeanyi P. Ugwueze, a Guidance Counsellor and Life Coach who continues to thrive despite blindness and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree.

Others include:

• Amina Musa, a trade educator based in Karonmajiji, AMAC, Abuja;
• Adenike A. Lambo, the Iyaloja of Ilorin;
• Sadiya Abubakar, an educator in Jibi (Deidei), Bwari Area Council, FCT;
• Erikan Idem Andrew, a market woman with significant community impact in Port Harcourt;
• Ngozi B. Nwankpa, an Aba-based fashion designer;
• Hadiza Umar, a Development Specialist based in Kaduna, Kaduna State;
• Joy C. Ezenwa (aka Mama Amala), a trader at Sabon Gari Market, Kano;
• Shola Esther Babalola (Mama Sho), promoter of natural honey and founder of the Mama Sho Honey brand in Lagos;
• Josephine Ugwu, a staff member of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), was honoured for her honesty in recovering and returning millions of naira mistakenly dropped by passengers at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for action over the recent attack in Plateau State, asking authorities to address and prosecute those behind the killing.

In a statement, CAN President, Mr Daniel Okoh, described the attack as “not just tragic” but also “unacceptable”.

“Nigerians are tired of mourning. Nigerians are tired of statements. Nigerians want to see action,” the cleric said in a statement issued late Monday.

“Those responsible for this atrocity must be found, arrested, and made to face justice; swiftly and decisively. Anything less will only deepen the sense that life in our country is no longer protected.”

The attack on Sunday in Angwan Rukuba, in Jos North Local Government Area, left 28 people dead and several others wounded.

Expectedly, the incident has sparked outrage among Nigerians and protests by angry residents of the area.

CAN called for a thorough investigation into the attack and called for proactive action before these attacks take place.

“Our security institutions must not only respond; they must stay ahead of these threats,” the Christian body said while acknowledging efforts by the Plateau State Government.

“But let it be said clearly: temporary measures are not enough. The people of Plateau, and indeed all Nigerians, deserve lasting security, not periodic reassurance,” Mr Okoh said.

CAN told Nigerians to be vigilant and calm, but maintained that the nation owes the dead justice.

“We owe the living protection. And we owe our future a country where no community wakes up to gunfire on a sacred day.”

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Governor, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, visited the affected area under heavy security and also those wounded on Monday, even as the state government imposed curfew on the affected place.

“This unfortunate event led to the loss of 28 innocent lives and left many others injured. I feel deeply the weight of the pain inflicted on our people,” the governor said in a state-wide broadcast.

He also vowed that Plateau State won’t succumb to fear or intimidation.

“We shall emerge stronger, united, and resolute in our faith and commitment to peace,” the governor assured.

“We must deploy every available resource to defend our people, protect lives and property, and safeguard the territorial integrity of our state. Plateau shall remain strong and peaceful.”