Why you are owed a refund
The Meter Asset Provider scheme was the answer to Nigeria's long queue for prepaid meters. Instead of waiting for the DisCo, you paid an approved provider, or the DisCo itself, and got a meter installed.
A meter on the network, though, is the DisCo's asset. So what you paid is a debt the DisCo owes you, and NERC requires it to be repaid. The repayment comes in electricity, not cash: monthly refund tokens for prepaid customers and a credit line on the bill for postpaid customers.
The March 2026 order
By 31 December 2025, DisCos still owed customers ₦20.33 billion in meter refunds. NERC answered with Order NERC/2026/025, the Amended Order on the Reimbursement of Meter Costs, signed on 27 February and effective 1 March 2026. What it requires:
- Clear the backlog in 12 months, starting 1 March 2026.
- Two tokens a month for prepaid customers while the backlog is cleared.
- Tokens by the fourth day of each month.
- A separate credit line on postpaid bills.
- No offsetting against old debts.
- Automated refunds, monthly reports to NERC and a dedicated complaints channel at every DisCo.
How to check your refund
| DisCo | How to check |
|---|---|
| IBEDC | AidaPay's free IBEDC MAP refund checker asks IBEDC's MAP refund portal. It lists every refund token issued so far, earliest first, with the amount, the balance left and a copy button. |
| AEDC | AidaPay's free AEDC MAP refund checker asks AEDC's MAP Refund Portal and lists each month's refund (T1), backlog (T2) and backlog difference (T3) tokens, with your balance. Eligible customers also get an SMS and an email with the meter number, the amount credited and a 20-digit token. Help: map.refund@abujaelectricity.com, 0803 907 0070. |
| Other DisCos | Ask customer care for your MAP refund status with your meter number. Every DisCo must run a complaints channel for meter refunds under the March 2026 order. |
Loading refund tokens
A refund token is an ordinary 20-digit STS token. The one rule that matters is order. IBEDC asks customers to load MAP tokens in ascending order, from the earliest issue date to the latest, and the same habit is safe with any DisCo.
- List your tokens by date, oldest first.
- Type the first token on the meter keypad and press Enter.
- Wait for Accept, then load the next one.
"Used" means that credit is already on the meter. "Reject" usually means a mistyped digit or a token for another meter. Our rejected token guide covers the rest.
Common problems
"Meter not found." Check the number printed on the meter. If it is right, the meter may not be registered as a MAP meter. Ask the DisCo, and keep your payment receipt ready.
"Verified, but no refund yet." You are on the list and waiting. Tokens are due by the fourth of each month, so check again early next month.
Months with nothing. Complain in writing to the DisCo's refund channel with your meter number, the date you paid and the receipt. If it is not resolved, NERC's forum office for your state is next.
Frequently asked questions
Who gets a MAP refund?
Will I get the money in cash?
Why did I get two tokens this month?
Can the DisCo use my refund to clear an old debt?
How long does the refund take in total?
My meter came preloaded with units. Is that the refund?
How we check this guide
The AidaPay team checked the facts on this page on 29 Sep 2026 against the sources below - network, regulator and company pages first, and at least two independent sources where no official page exists. Prices come live from AidaPay. Spotted something out of date? Email help@aidapay.ng and we will correct it.
Sources: Legit.ng: NERC orders DisCos to refund meter costs to customers within 12 months (March 2026) · Nairametrics: NERC orders DisCos to fast-track N20.33 billion meter refunds (March 2026) · IBEDC: MAP refund portal · AEDC: A simple guide to your MAP refund · AEDC: MAP Refund Portal · IBEDC: FAQs (paid MAP scheme, 36-month refund, preloaded MAP meters)