This presentation gives a high level view on the use of smart meters to solve the lingering electricity metering challenge in Nigeria.

1. Electricity Metering Challenges in
Nigeria – The Smart Meter
Solution
Chukwuemeka Nzeih
Digital Bridge Institute
Abuja Nigeria
Internet of Things: A GSMA & Open Learning Campus
Partnership Course
April 2019

2. Introductio
n Over the years Nigeria has been grappling with the issues of;
 Electricity Generation.
 Electricity Transmission.
 Electricity Distribution.
 These problems are mostly caused by gas shortage, low power
generation, irregular supply and metering, sabotage and
vandalization.
 The most challenging among these is electricity distribution and
by extension Electricity metering and Changes.
 The Government and relevant agencies have made efforts to
address challenges in the power sector.
 The measures that have been adopted includes, the Implementing
the Power Sector Reform, establishment of the Nigerian Electricity
Regulatory Commission (NERC), unbundling of Power Holding

3. Metering Challenges in
Nigeria One way to solve the power challenge
and electricity billing issues is
effective and transparent billing.
 Previous billing methods especially
the use of estimated billing (arbitrary
charges and bills) is very ineffective
and have caused several problems for
both government and the electricity
distribution companies.

4. Metering Challenges in
Nigeria
 Electricity Consumer protesting against unfair billing and metering in
Lagos Nigeria.

5. Smart Metering
Solution The Smart Metering Solution.
 The Smart Electricity Meter Solution will be an IoT enable device that
monitors power consumptions in homes and give real time analytics on
domestic power consumption of an individual. .
 The smart meters will be a prepaid meter system where consumers
subscribes and pays for specific units of power.
 The power units consumed is deducted from the credits subscribed for
thus giving a credit balance (amount of power units remaining).
 The system (meter) prompts the consumer when a minimum balance
threshold is reached through email and SMS or provides daily power
consumption situation report.
 A consumer can also monitor the operations of the meter via a mobile or
desktop application and also view electricity consumptions by devices and
home appliances, peak time consumptions.
 The consumer can disable power to different home application or power
point through the mobile/desktop application.

6. Smart Metering
Solution
https://www.memmcol.com/smart%20keypad_prepayment_meter.ht

7. Benefits to the
Customer
 Realtime monitoring of power consumption.
 Tracking of Power Consumption Points.
 Realtime Analytics of Power Usage.
 Effective Power Management and Scheduling.
 Appliances and power consumption points can be disable real-time via the
applications
 Crediting meter and electricity units recharge via mobile and desktop apps.
 Reduces Power Loss.
 Transparent billing.

8. https://youtu.be/c6DOm7whoiY
Benefits of Smart
Meters

9. Business Model
 The Product Sharing Solution would be the best fit for
the Smart metering Solution.
 Customer can be asked to be an initial acquisition cost,
amount to not more than 30% of the total cost of the
meters.
 The balance of 65% can be deducted subsequently
from each recharge of electricity credit.
 Consumer can also be charge a monthly usage fee for

10. Connectivity
Technology
Carrier
Networks
 2G Connectivity will be most
suitable for the Smart
Metering System in Nigeria.
 2G will make it possible for
data to be transferred over a
long distance
 Though 3G is already in use
in Nigeria, 2G is the most
predominant connectivity
type in semi urban and rural
areas.
 The application would
require low bandwidth
because the
information/data that is
being transferred is only that
which is related to the power
usage data of electricity
meters and consumers.
 Existing GSM Telecoms
network operators in the
Country may be used for this
purposes.

11. Operational
Considerations
1. Some areas where costumers may want to use Smart Meters may
not be covered by telecommunication Services.
2. Quality of Service in GSM network may affects data transmission
between sensors and IoT enables smart meters.
3. Interconnectivity charges on for network usage among
telcoms/connectivity providers.

12. Policy Issues
1. Establishment of a Multistakeholder
forum that consist of the following
organisation; Nigeria Electricity
Regulatory Commission, the 11
Electricity Distribution Companies, the
Consumer Protection Council, Metering
Assessment Providers (MAP), IoT
Companies (Smart Meters Providers) for
the monitoring, implementation and
management of Smart Meters, establish
a cohesive working relationship
between the decision makers and
agreeing issues of common interest.
2. Government should development
interoperability standard among
connectivity providers.
3. Regulatory Clarity as regards the
provision of Smart Meters.
4. Policy on encouraging Local/In-Country
http://sparkonline.com.ng/2018/08/nigeria-produce-meter-
box-locally.html
https://www.nigeriaelectricityhub.com/2016/06/23/lo
cal-firms-can-produce-150000-meters-monthly-
manufacturer/
https://allafrica.com/stories/201606090413.ht

13. Chukwuemeka Nzeih
Digital Bridge Institute
Abuja – Nigeria
GSMA – Internet of Things: A GSMA & Open Learning Campus
Partnership Course
April 2019