In Nigeria, electricity tariffs are also known as utility bills and, in some cases, “Nepa bills.” These bills are what you pay for the amount of electricity you consume daily.
How you pay for electricity in Nigeria depends on your meter. There are two types of meter in nigeria which are:
- The Prepaid Meter
- The Postpaid Meter
The Prepaid Meter: With the prepaid meter, you pay for your electricity before using it. The amount of electricity tariff units you buy is credited to your prepaid meter, and the amount is deducted as power is consumed. You pay online through Proxy apps, bank apps, and POS agents, among others.
This prepaid meter is becoming widely adopted and is said to be the best.
The Postpaid Meter: In this case, you get the bill monthly by estimating or calculating the amount of power used from the meter. You can pay either through bank deposits or online.
For context, this article will focus on the best apps for paying utility bills in Nigeria using the prepaid metering system. We will also look at the steps for paying utility bills across all apps, the benefits of the prepaid system, and the different electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in Nigeria and their areas of operation.
Best Apps to Pay Utility Bills in Nigeria
These are some good apps to pay your utility bills with
- Koyn
Koyn is a Nigerian platform with an extensive use case. The app’s main utility is the conversion of cryptocurrencies to naira. Besides this, the app is also a good facilitator of utility bill payments ranging from airtime, electricity bills, and other postpaid bills. Koyn is available as an app and web application.
2. Bill Point
Bill Point is a widely used app for all kinds of transactions and the payment of bills, including electricity bills. It comes with features such as 24/7 access, various payment options, referral rewards, and a user-friendly interface, making it very easy for you to pay your bill.
3. BuyPower
BuyPower is the biggest and most popular platform for your electricity tokens in Nigeria. With BuyPower, you can pay both prepaid and postpaid bills. It is known to be fast and reliable. You will need to create an account on the site to recharge or use their USSD code. It has its app on the Google Play Store and the Apple Store.
4. PayPower
PayPower is another fast and reliable platform to buy electricity tokens in Nigeria. The catch with this one is that it has a broader reach compared to other apps. The site is easy to navigate, and you can download it from the Google Play Store and the Apple Store.
5. Prestmit
Prestmit is a platform for various payments, including electricity bills for both prepaid and postpaid meters. On this app, you will need to fund your wallet and recharge. This app is for both Android and Apple users.
6. Cardtonic
Cardtonic is one of the apps used to buy electric tokens in Nigeria. To buy, you need to download the app, register, Click ‘electricity,’ then select your DisCo, and finalize the purchase process over 5 minutes. The app is straightforward and secure, and they give discounts, too. Reach out to their customer service in case of any issues.
7. VTpass
VTpass is top-rated in terms of ease of use for day-to-day bills like data, airtime cable TV, and, of course, electricity units. You just need to create an account on the site, fund your wallet,t and recharge your meter.
How to Recharge Your Prepaid Meter
Regardless of any platform you choose to buy electricity tokens from, the way to recharge them is all the same, and these are the steps:
- Obtain Your Meter Number:
- Get your meter number on the prepaid meter device. It is usually displayed on the screen, the meter’s card, or the documentation.
- Or, check past recharge receipts for the meter number.
- Purchase Electricity Units: You can buy electricity units (tokens) through various platforms, such as BuyPower, Bill Point, and PayPower, bank apps (e.g., GTWorld, Access Bank, FirstMobile), USSD Codes, POS Agents, and DisCo Offices.
- Receive a Token:
- After payment, you’ll receive a 20-digit recharge token (via SMS, email, or receipt).
- This token represents the electricity units you have purchased.
- Load the Token into Your Meter:
- Go to your prepaid meter device.
- Enter the 20-digit token using the keypad.
- Press the “Enter” or confirmation button.
- The meter will accept the token, and the purchased units will be credited.
- Monitor Your Consumption:
- The meter screen will Display the remaining units after each transaction.
- You will need to recharge when the units are low to avoid disconnection.
Tips:
- When trying to recharge your prepaid meter, choose between prepaid and postpaid. Click ‘Prepaid’ for a prepaid meter and click ‘Postpaid’ for a postpaid meter.
- Look well and select the correct electricity distribution company for your prepaid meter.
Benefits of Using the Prepaid Meter
By keeping an eye on and regulating power consumption in real time with your prepaid meter, you can budget and avoid unexpected bills. The prepaid meters wipe off estimated billing, which makes electricity billing more transparent and fair. This will help the residents of the area have fewer unpaid bills for electricity consumption. The provision of prepaid meters not only eases electricity bill payment but also prevents disconnection of electricity due to the accumulation of arrears. It can be recharged using numerous alternatives, such as mobile apps, USSD codes, online portals, or POS agents. It gives you a better awareness of your own electricity use and thus a means of growing the habit of saving energy. Prepaid meters also wipe out the need for monthly bills, reducing paperwork and potential errors.
Prepaid Electricity Meter Charging Tips
- Keep your meter number handy for every recharge.
- Regularly check remaining units and recharge when low to avoid disconnection or power outages.
- Use trusted payment platforms like Quickteller, Paystack, or Remita.
- Recharge early to avoid running out of units.
- Confirm recharge tokens and enter them correctly.
- Keep proof of payment for dispute resolution.
- Recharge during off-peak hours for faster service.
- Understand your area’s electricity tariff for credit purchases.
- Check for promotions or discounts on recharges.
- Regularly inspect your prepaid meter and report any faults.
Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in Nigeria
Here’s a table listing the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in Nigeria and their respective areas of operation:
| Nigeria’s Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) | Areas of Operation |
| Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) | Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). |
| Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) | Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti States. |
| Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) | Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, and Abia States. |
| Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) | Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, and parts of Kogi, Ekiti, and Ondo States. |
| Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) | Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and parts of Kogi and Taraba States. |
| Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) | Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Yobe States. |
| Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) | Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and parts of Imo States. |
| Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) | Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Gombe, and Bauchi States. |
These DisCos are responsible for the distribution of electricity in their respective regions and handle customer billing, metering, and service maintenance within their jurisdictions.
Conclusion
It is now easier to pay your utility bills with the adoption of prepaid meters. Use trusted apps and platforms like BuyPower, Paypower, VTpass, etc. These apps help you control what you spend on light and save you the stress that comes with postpaid meters like estimated billings, disconnection due to arrears, etc.
To recharge your meter, follow the steps above and enjoy an uninterrupted power supply.
