Start with the account and meter identifiers, then check the billing period, actual or estimated readings, kWh used, tariff, separate charges, arrears or credits, total due and complaint contact. Do not judge the bill from the total alone.
NERC’s Customer Protection Regulations list the information an electricity bill should contain. A missing breakdown makes it harder to test whether the total is accurate.
The essentials
- Customer name, account number, supply address and meter number.
- Previous and current reading dates and whether each is actual or estimated.
- Energy used in kWh and the relevant tariff or tariffs.
- Separate charges, arrears, credits, due date, feeder and service band.
What to check first
Start with the evidence already in front of you. A precise account, meter, product or safety detail is more useful than guessing from the outcome alone.
- Customer name, account number, supply address and meter number.
- Previous and current reading dates and whether each is actual or estimated.
- Energy used in kWh and the relevant tariff or tariffs.
- Separate charges, arrears, credits, due date, feeder and service band.
Step by step
Work through the existing transaction, account or installation in order. Keep the reference and result from each step before moving to the next.
- Compare the current opening reading with the previous bill’s closing reading.
- Subtract the readings and apply any stated multiplier.
- Compare the resulting kWh and tariff with the bill breakdown.
- Reconcile arrears, credits and payments using receipts.
Mistakes to avoid
These shortcuts often turn a traceable problem into a second payment, a lost evidence trail or a safety risk.
- Comparing naira totals without considering tariff or consumption changes.
- Ignoring whether a reading is estimated.
- Submitting a dispute without a copy of the bill and earlier receipts.
When to escalate
Ask the DisCo to explain any missing or inconsistent field in writing. For a formal dispute, state the exact field, your calculation and the correction requested, then retain the acknowledgement for escalation.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between kW and kWh?
kW is a rate of power; kWh is energy used over time. Electricity bills and prepaid token values are normally expressed in kWh.
Should a bill show whether the reading is estimated?
Yes. The customer-protection schedule includes indicators showing whether current and previous readings are actual or estimated.
Research sources
Official guidance, product information and public sources were reviewed on 27 July 2026.