NECAI and electricity-sector stakeholders at an engagement programme

Independent customer advocacy

NECAINaijainclusive Electricity Customer Advocacy Intervention

Fair electricity service is your right.

We help electricity customers across Nigeria challenge unfair billing, resolve meter complaints and demand accountable service from providers and regulators.

Stakeholder engagement

Building constructive dialogue between electricity customers, service providers and regulators.

Promoting

FairnessTransparencyCustomer Rights

in Nigeria’s power sector

How we help

Practical advocacy.
Real customer redress.

From the first complaint to regulatory escalation, NECAI helps customers understand the process, document the facts and pursue a fair outcome.

01

Billing disputes

We review estimated bills, unexplained arrears, tariff errors and disputed adjustments.

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02

Meter complaints

We advocate for customers affected by faulty, obsolete or delayed meters.

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03

Supply & transformers

We pursue fair treatment during prolonged outages, transformer faults and delayed restoration.

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About NECAI

We turn customer complaints into evidence-backed action.

Naijainclusive Electricity Customer Advocacy Intervention is an independent consumer-advocacy organisation. We help residential customers, businesses and communities document electricity-service failures and pursue redress through the proper channels.

Our mission

To protect and advance the rights of electricity customers through education, evidence-based advocacy, complaint resolution, regulatory engagement and the pursuit of fair, transparent and accountable electricity services.

Our vision

A Nigerian electricity sector where every customer is treated fairly, properly informed, accurately billed and provided with reliable service and effective access to redress.

See how we work →

We combine practical billing analysis, regulatory knowledge and direct engagement to ensure that electricity customers are heard.

IndependentCustomer-focused

NECAI in action

Engagement that moves complaints toward action.

NECAI participated in the MainPower–Nsukka District Customer Engagement Programme, advancing constructive dialogue among electricity customers, the service provider and industry stakeholders.

Ugwu Chinedu in discussion with MainPower representatives
Ugwu Chinedu engaging MainPower representatives during the customer engagement programme.
NECAI and MainPower representatives at the stakeholder engagement
Stakeholders from NECAI and MainPower strengthening collaboration for improved customer service.
Dr Francis Iwu, Ugwu Chinedu and Emeka Eze
Dr. Francis Iwu, Ugwu Chinedu and Emeka Eze at the engagement programme.
Participants at the MainPower Nsukka District customer engagement programme
Participants at the MainPower–Nsukka District Customer Engagement Programme.
Electricity customers listening during an engagement session
An interactive session focused on electricity customers’ concerns and service improvement.
Customers presenting complaints for on-the-spot attention
Customers presenting complaints for documentation, engagement and on-the-spot attention.
Ugwu Chinedu engaging Ijeoma Ogudebe of MainPower on the Umujioka Community complaint
Ugwu Chinedu engaging Mrs. Ijeoma Ogudebe, Head of the Customer Complaint Unit, MainPower, on the Umujioka Community complaint.
MainPower officers reviewing the Umujioka Community complaint with NECAI
Reviewing the evidence behind Umujioka Community’s disputed ₦3,529,739.91 meter-bypass charge.
EERC Chairman Chijioke Okonkwo with NECAI Chairman Coordinator Ugwu Chinedu
Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo, Chairman of EERC, with Mr. Ugwu Chinedu, Chairman/Coordinator of NECAI—strengthening engagement between the regulator and electricity-customer advocates.

Know your rights

Four protections every customer should know.

Knowing the rules is the first step toward challenging unfair treatment. These protections may depend on the facts of each complaint and the applicable regulation.

01

A fair and transparent bill

Your bill should reflect lawful tariffs, valid readings or the applicable estimated-billing cap.

02

A working meter

Faulty meter complaints should be acknowledged and addressed within the applicable regulatory period.

03

Protection during a dispute

A properly filed complaint about an unpaid bill should be resolved through the complaint process.

04

A clear response

Service providers should explain decisions, adjustments and complaint outcomes in writing.

The complaint pathway

A clear route from problem to resolution.

Send us the facts and supporting documents. We assess the complaint, help organise the evidence and identify the appropriate provider or regulatory channel.

  1. 1
    Tell us what happened

    Share the account details, disputed bill, dates and any previous complaint reference.

  2. 2
    We assess the evidence

    We review the billing history, readings, payments and applicable customer-protection rules.

  3. 3
    We pursue redress

    We prepare the complaint, engage the provider and escalate where the matter remains unresolved.

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers before you take the next step.

These general answers help customers prepare and understand the complaint process. The proper remedy still depends on the evidence and rules applicable to each case.

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01What complaints can NECAI assist with?

We assist with disputed or excessive bills, estimated-billing concerns, faulty or obsolete meters, unexplained arrears, wrongful disconnection, delayed complaint responses, prolonged transformer faults and related electricity-customer issues.

02What documents should I provide?

Send your customer name, account or meter number, service address and phone number, together with recent bills, payment receipts, meter photographs or readings, previous complaint references and any response received from the service provider.

03Can I be disconnected while my disputed bill is under complaint?

Applicable customer-protection rules may restrict disconnection where a complaint concerning an unpaid bill has been properly filed and remains unresolved. Keep evidence of submission and your complaint reference. Each case must be assessed on its facts.

04What should I do if my meter is faulty?

Report the fault promptly to the service provider in writing and retain the complaint reference. Record the meter number, date the fault began and any available photographs, readings or inspection reports. NECAI can help you pursue replacement and challenge improper billing during the fault period.

05Can NECAI review an estimated or excessive bill?

Yes. We can examine the billing history, meter readings, payments, tariff information and applicable estimated-billing rules, then prepare an evidence-based request for reconciliation or adjustment.

06Can a community complain about a faulty transformer?

Yes. The community should document the date supply failed, the transformer location, affected accounts, reports already made and any restoration promises. NECAI can engage the service provider and escalate prolonged non-resolution through the appropriate regulatory channel.

07Does NECAI guarantee that every complaint will succeed?

No. Outcomes depend on the evidence, applicable regulations and facts of each case. NECAI helps customers present legitimate complaints clearly, pursue fair consideration and escalate unresolved matters through the proper channels.

08How do I submit a complaint to NECAI?

Email naijainclusive@gmail.com with a short explanation of the problem and the supporting documents. You may also visit our Nsukka or Abuja office using the addresses shown in the Contact section.

09Are electricity customers required to purchase poles, transformers or electricity cables?

No. Customers and communities are ordinarily not responsible for purchasing, repairing or replacing transformers, poles, cables and other distribution-network assets. These are generally the distribution company’s responsibility and their costs are recoverable through approved tariffs. A distribution company should not compel customers to supply them as a condition for connection or restoration.

10Are Maximum Demand customers required to purchase their electricity meters?

Maximum Demand customers must be properly metered and should not be placed on estimated billing. Providing and maintaining the required MD metering system is fundamentally the distribution company’s responsibility. An MD customer asked to pay should demand a formal written request stating the regulatory basis, approved price and refund arrangement, and should never pay an employee or unauthorised account.

11Must a new occupant pay electricity debts accumulated by a previous occupant?

No. A new tenant or occupant is not automatically responsible for electricity consumed by a former occupant. Check the property’s billing status before moving in. If an old debt appears, notify the distribution company immediately in writing, provide evidence of the date you took possession and ask that the debt be assigned to the customer who incurred it.

12Who is responsible for repairing or replacing a damaged transformer?

The distribution company is ordinarily responsible for repairing or replacing a transformer forming part of its network. Report the fault, obtain a complaint reference and retain evidence of the date reported. Customers may be liable only where it is properly established that they deliberately damaged the equipment; otherwise, a community should not be compelled to finance the repair.

13What should a customer do before voluntarily financing poles, a transformer or other network infrastructure?

Do not purchase or install anything based on a verbal instruction. Submit a written proposal and obtain the distribution company’s technical inspection, design and approval. Before spending money, execute a written Project Agreement covering the scope, specifications, verified cost, ownership, procurement, commissioning and how and when the full investment will be recovered.

14What penalties apply to electricity-meter bypass or tampering?

Meter bypass and tampering are serious offences. The distribution company may disconnect an unauthorised connection without prior notice. The customer may face an assessment for unlawfully consumed energy, prescribed reconnection and administrative charges, replacement costs where the meter was damaged, and possible criminal investigation or prosecution. Any assessment must still follow the approved regulatory procedure and be supported by evidence.

15How can an unmetered customer determine whether the distribution company is overbilling them?

Identify your feeder and tariff band, find the regulator’s monthly energy cap for that feeder and compare it with the energy and amount on your bill. Confirm the tariff and VAT, check for billing during periods without supply and compare usage with similar metered customers. MainPower must not bill an unmetered customer above the applicable EERC energy cap.

16What should I do if my distribution company fails to resolve my complaint?

Keep the complaint acknowledgement, reference number and supporting documents. If the response is late or unsatisfactory, escalate the matter. In Enugu State, unresolved MainPower complaints may be taken to EERC’s Customer Complaints Redress Department at ccrd@eerc.en.gov.ng with the original complaint, proof of submission, bills, receipts and any response received.

17What is the proper procedure for filing a complaint with a distribution company?

Submit a written complaint first to the distribution company’s Customer Complaints Unit or official customer-service channel. Include your name, contact details, account or meter number, service address, relevant dates, disputed amounts, evidence and the remedy requested. Always obtain an acknowledgement or reference number. If the complaint remains unresolved, escalate it to the appropriate regulator with proof that the distribution company was approached first.

18Why does NERC no longer directly handle electricity-distribution complaints in my state?

The Electricity Act 2023 permits states to regulate their intrastate electricity markets after completing the formal transfer. In Enugu State, EERC now regulates MainPower’s distribution, retail supply, customer protection and complaint resolution. NERC continues to regulate interstate and national matters, including the national grid and interstate transmission.

19How many electricity regulatory bodies are currently operating in Nigeria?

As of August 2026, Nigeria has 17 electricity regulatory bodies: the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) at the federal level and 16 active state electricity regulators. NERC regulates interstate and national electricity activities and continues to regulate states that have not completed the transition. Each state regulator oversees intrastate electricity activities and customer complaints within its state. In Enugu State, the regulator is the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC). The number will increase as more states establish their regulators and complete the formal transfer process under the Electricity Act 2023.

20What is the difference between Band A, Band B and Band C electricity customers?

The bands are service categories under the Service-Based Tariff system. They mainly indicate the minimum average number of electricity-supply hours promised each day: Band A—at least 20 hours; Band B—at least 16 hours; and Band C—at least 12 hours. A higher band normally attracts a higher tariff because it comes with a higher service commitment. Your band is usually determined by the feeder serving your premises, not simply by whether you are a residential or commercial customer. Check your electricity bill or prepaid vending receipt to confirm your band. If your distribution company repeatedly fails to provide the minimum supply associated with your band, document the actual supply hours and submit a written complaint requesting investigation and the appropriate regulatory remedy.

Start here

Facing an electricity complaint?

Email us with your name, account or meter number, service address, phone number and a short explanation of the problem. Attach your recent bill and any earlier complaint response.

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