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62.3% Electricity Consumers Still On Estimated Billing ― NERC

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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), on Saturday said 62.3 per cent of electricity consumers in the country were still on estimated billing as at December 2019.

The NERC made this known in its Fourth Quarter 2019 Report which was obtained from its website by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

The commission said: “Inadequate metering remains a serious challenge in the industry, with only 3,918,322 (37.77 per cent ) of the total customer population of 10,374,597 metered.

“With 62.37 per cent of the end-use customers on estimated billing, huge collection losses due to customer apathy have posed a serious challenge to the viability and sustainability of the industry.”

It said in comparison to the third quarter of 2019, the numbers of registered and metered customers increased by 699,850 (7.23 per cent) and 22,825 (0.59 per cent) respectively.

NERC said the increase in the number of registered customers was attributable to the on-going enumeration exercise by DisCos while the increase in metered customers was due to the roll-out of meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) schemes.

It said: “The commission notes with concern that the additional 22,825 end-use customers’ meters installed during the fourth quarter fell significantly from the 83,768 meters installed during the third quarter.

“This poses risk to the Commission’s goal of closing the metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) by December 31, 2021.

“Although some MAPs have not fully commenced meter deployments, the low metering recorded during the quarter was partly due to the increase of 35 per cent in import duty on meter components.

NERC said it was already working with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning toward addressing those issues in order to fast-track meters roll-out.

It said during the period under review, only Abuja, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt DisCos metered additional customers.

According to NERC, the metering status of the DisCos as at December 2019 is: Benin DisCo, 53.71 per cent; Abuja, 52.39 per cent; Eko, 46.67 per cent; Ikeja, 40.38 per cent and Jos, 31.71 per cent.

Others are: Port Harcourt, 38.34 per cent; Ibadan, 32.21 per cent; Kaduna, 22.2 per cent; Kano, 18.36 per cent; Enugu, 41.26 per cent and Yola, 18.75 per cent.

The commission said it would continue to monitor the DisCos to ensure total compliance with the MAP regulations.

The commission also said the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) recorded N119.46 billion deficit in the fourth quarter of 2019.

NERC said the 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) only remitted a total of ₦74.20 billion out of the ₦193.66 billion invoice issued to them for energy received and administrative charges during the period.

NERC said liquidity challenge was still a major issue in NESI in spite of the recent improvement in Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses by the 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

“This is evidenced in the DisCos’ international and special customers’ remittances to Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) and Market Operators (MO) during the fourth quarter of 2019.

“During the fourth quarter, DisCos were issued a total invoice of ₦193.66 billion for energy received from NBET and for administrative services by MO.

“However, only a total of ₦74.20 billion (38.32 per cent) of the invoice was settled as and when due, creating a total deficit of ₦119.46 billion including tariff shortfall,” the regulatory agency said.

NERC said Eko DisCo recorded the highest remittance rate (51.50 per cent) in the fourth quarter of 2019 followed by Abuja with 51.27 per cent remittance rate.

It added that although Jos DisCo’ settlement rate improved during the fourth quarter, its remittance rate of 19.57 per cent was the lowest in the fourth quarter of 2019.

NERC also disclosed that total market invoices were issued to the special customer (Ajaokuta Steel Co. Ltd) and the international customers (Societe Nigerienne d’electricite (NIGELEC )and Communaute Electrique du Benin (CEB) during the same period.

According to NERC, N29.50 million was issued to Ajaokuta Steel Company while N2.07 billion was issued to NIGELEC and CEB respectively.

The commission, however, said neither NBET nor MO received payments from these customers during this period.

“Although there has been a significant improvement, the challenge of low remittance to the market is still a concern to the commission as it is one of the main causes of the liquidity crisis facing NESI.

“Low remittance adversely affects the ability of NBET to honour its financial obligations to Electricity Generation Companies (GenCos).

“Also, service providers struggle with the paucity of funds impacting their capacity to perform their statutory obligations,” NERC said.

It, therefore, urged the DisCos to rapidly improve on their revenue collection from customers in order to fulfil their remittance obligations and mitigate financial distress in NESI.

NERC said to enforce payment discipline and compliance with the minimum remittance, it had during the fourth quarter, began enforcement action against DisCos that defaulted in the third quarter billing cycle.

Following the commencement of the enforcement by the Commission, all DisCos except Enugu DisCo have met their expected Minimum Remittance Threshold for the third quarter. (NAN)

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Business

IMT 2025 Edition Names Former McKinsey Partner As Speaker

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By Sola Alabadan

The fourth edition of Insurance Meets Tech (IMT), a conference focusing on the convergence of insurance and technology, is scheduled to hold on September 11 in Lagos.
With the theme, “Innovating for the New Trybe,” IMT 4.0 will convene stakeholders across the financial, tech, and creative ecosystems, redefining how insurance meets digital innovation, lifestyle, and Africa’s future economy. This year’s edition will once again deliver a powerful dual-experience format:
IMT 4.0, the flagship C-suite and policy-focused discourse
IMT Redefined 2.0, the youth-forward segment exploring the convergence of insurance, culture, and innovation.
The 2025 headline speaker is Per Lagerström, a global thought leader, an insurtech innovator, financial expert, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience across financial services, technology, FMCG, and strategy consulting. A former Partner at McKinsey & Company, he founded BehaviorTech, a groundbreaking field that merges behavioural science, AI, and innovation to deliver transformative outcomes for people, businesses, and society.
As CEO of Yellowspot, an Ireland-based venture studio, he leads the development of disruptive ventures focused on financial planning, education, longevity, and human-centred digital transformation. Known for navigating complexity with clarity, Per has advised boards and executives across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. His work is driven by an unrelenting passion for unlocking potential at the intersection of science, technology, and human insight.
Odion Aleobua, Convener of IMT and CEO of Modion Communications, expressed his delight ahead of the event. “We are incredibly honoured to welcome Per Lagerström to Lagos, Nigeria for IMT 4.0. His experience at the cutting edge of behaviour-tech research, an astute financial guru and huge insight into insurtech innovation align with the conversations we drive at this year’s conference. IMT is about the future of protection for a new generation, and we are convening voices and celebrating ideas that matter.”
IMT 4.0 will also continue to explore the role of predictive technology, embedded insurance, disruptive underwriting, and inclusive innovation. With engaging panels, immersive workshops, product demos, and youth-led showcases, the event promises actionable insights and bold ideas for building relevance in a shifting risk landscape.
Commenting, Per Lagerström stated, “Financial services are undergoing rapid and fundamental change, driven by AI inflection and BehaviorTech advances, blurring industry boundaries and shifting consumer behaviours. The result places incumbent business models under tremendous pressure and create unrivaled opportunities for growth and value creation. I am excited to join the year’s edition of IMT to unpack the forces at work and share my playbook for navigating these extraordinary times.”
IMT 4.0 proudly announces an early strategic partner powering this year’s event. CubeCover, one of Nigeria’s leading insurtech and microinsurance providers, comes aboard as a proud Gold Sponsor, racing ahead as early co-travelers for this year’s edition.
To register for IMT 2025, visit www.insurancemeetstech.com. For inquiries, contact Odion at +234 902 222 2226.
About Insurance Meets Tech (IMT)
The Insurance Meets Tech (IMT) Conference is one of West Africa’s leading platforms for exploring the future of insurance through the lens of technology, innovation, and culture.
In its fourth year, IMT offers a robust, multi-stakeholder, two-pronged experience featuring IMT 4.0, focused on C-suite insights, and IMT Redefined, a dynamic youth engagement segment inspired by innovation, lifestyle and creativity. IMT is curated by Modion Communications, one of Africa’s most celebrated young Public Relations consultancies.

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SanlamAllianz Organises Roadshow To Deepen Insurance Awareness

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By Sola Alabadan

SanlamAllianz, formed from the merger of Allianz and Sanlam, will begin 12-city nationwide roadshow on June 23, following the brand’s recent official introduction to the Nigerian market.
The campaign, which will take place in Lagos, Ibadan, Akure, Warri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, Kano, Jos, and Abuja, is part of the company’s strategic effort to deepen customer engagement, and raise awareness about the brand and insurance.
It is also intended to demonstrate the company’s commitment to making wealth creation and financial protection capabilities more accessible to individuals and businesses in the country.
Speaking on this initiative, Tunde Mimiko, MD/CEO of SanlamAllianz Life Insurance, said: “This nationwide campaign signals the scale of our ambition and the depth of our commitment to the Nigerian market. At the heart of insurance is trust, and trust begins with presence. Reaching customers where they are is fundamental to how we are building SanlamAllianz.
“This roadshow is a strategic move to bridge the gap between perception and reality, allowing us to engage directly with our customers and Nigerians in general, challenge long-held misconceptions, and position insurance as a practical tool for thriving in financial confidence, building resilience and long-term financial security.”
As part of the roadshow, SanlamAllianz will hold customer engagement forums in each of the 12 cities. The in-person sessions allow customers to interact directly with the company’s leadership and frontline teams. The forums aim to reconnect with customers under the unified brand and reaffirm its long-term commitment to the local market.
“Insurance only becomes relevant when it is understood, trusted, and connected to the realities people face,” said Yomi Onifade, MD/CEO of SanlamAllianz General Insurance.
“These forums are our way of reintroducing SanlamAllianz not just as a merged entity, but as a unified brand committed to showing up for Nigerians. We are creating a platform for real conversations — to listen, address concerns, and deepen understanding. This is how SanlamAllianz intends to lead, by listening actively, showing up with solutions, and shaping a future where insurance is truly embedded in the fabric of everyday Nigerian life,” he added.
By adopting a city-by-city physical rollout, SanlamAllianz Nigeria is positioning itself as one of the few players actively investing in deeper grassroots engagement toward deepening insurance penetration in Nigeria.

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NAICOM, OHCSF Move To Ensure Workers Benefit From Group Life Assurance

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By Sola Alabadan

In order to equip civil servants with knowledge and tools to effectively manage and benefit from the Group Life Assurance Policy, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) recently organised a capacity-building workshop on the compulsory insurance policy in Abuja.

Section 9(3) of the Pension Reform Act 2014 mandates employers to maintain a Group Life Assurance policy for their employees, with a benefit of at least three times the employee’s annual total emolument.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from government ministries, departments, and agencies to enhance understanding and implementation of the policy.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, represented by Mrs. Oyekunle Patience, emphasised the importance of insurance in safeguarding public servants’ welfare and ensuring financial security for their families. She commended President Bola Tinubu for renewing the annuity policy and applauded NAICOM for initiating the training.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, represented by Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration, expressed appreciation for the collaboration and assured participants of NAICOM’s commitment to transparency and accountability in policy implementation.

The workshop aimed to equip civil servants with knowledge and tools to effectively manage and benefit from the Group Life Assurance Policy, a critical component of the Federal Government’s welfare package.
The event marked a significant step in strengthening life insurance policy implementation across the federal civil service, reinforcing the government’s dedication to employee well-being.

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