Electricity Consumption in Nigeria: How Prepaid Metering Influence Consumers’ Experience and Trust towards Electricity Consumption

Abstract

Energy production and consumption is one of the key facilitators of economic growth and development. Electricity outlook in Nigeria is challenging especially with postpaid billings approach that have led to several complaints, discontentment, and consumers’ search for alternative. The study assessed how prepaid metering influences consumers’ experience and trust towards consumption of electricity in order to proffer policies and intervention programmes that will redress the ailing energy sector. Survey design was used and structured questionnaire was used, pretested and administered to users of prepaid metering in Abia State. Logistic regression and correlation coefficient was used to analyse the results. The findings revealed that socioeconomic factors and service experience positively influence choice of prepaid metering. We recommend policy approach and intervention programmes that leads to aggressive installation of prepaid metering, reduced acquisition cost, and fixed low billing for electricity users pending DISCOS’ installation of prepaid metering.