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How to Upgrade Prepaid Meter Online in Nigeria
Upgrading your prepaid electricity meter has become an important task for Nigerians, especially with recent rules requiring a software update for all meters.
Upgrading your meter ensures that it will keep accepting recharge tokens even after the national upgrade deadline and will function correctly.
Hence, we’ll walk you through the entire process, from linking your NIN to entering the special upgrade codes that’ll help you upgrade your prepaid meter online with ease.
2.8Other DisCos
How to Upgrade Prepaid Meter Online in Nigeria
Upgrading a prepaid meter in Nigeria involves two main steps. First, you need to link your National Identification Number (NIN) to your meter, and second, you need to get and enter the Key Change Tokens (KCT) from your electricity company (DisCo) to update your meter’s software.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Link Your NIN to Your Prepaid Meter
Most electricity companies in Nigeria now require customers to link their NIN to their prepaid meter before upgrading. This is a one-time verification process.
Here’s how you can link your NIN:
- Go to your DisCo’s official website or NIN-meter linking page. Companies like Ikeja Electric and others have special pages for this.
- Look for the option that says “Link your NIN to your Meter” (it may be worded slightly differently depending on the company).
- Fill in your details, including your NIN, active phone number, and email address.
- Submit the form.
- You’ll get a confirmation code, usually sent to your phone or email. Enter this code along with your meter number on the website and submit it.
Step 2: Obtain Your Key Change Tokens (KCT) for Meter Upgrade
After linking your NIN, the main step in upgrading your prepaid meter involves using special 20-digit codes called Key Change Tokens (KCT). These codes update your meter so it can accept new tokens in the future.
Where to Get Your KCT:
- Recent Token Purchase: If you’ve purchased electricity credit since August 2023, check your receipt or SMS. You might notice three 20-digit numbers instead of one. The first two numbers are KCT1 and KCT2, which are the upgrade codes, and the third is your regular energy token. DisCos automatically include these codes with your new token to make upgrading easier.
- Online Portal: If you haven’t received the KCT automatically, you can generate it online. Visit your DisCo’s official upgrade portal, like IBEDC’s TID Rollover portal, and simply enter your meter number to get your KCT codes. Ikeja Electric also has an online tool where you can enter your meter number to get the KCTs instantly.
- USSD or SMS: Some DisCos, like Ikeja Electric, provide a USSD code to request your KCTs. For Ikeja, you can dial
*7024#, follow the prompts, and enter your meter number. You’ll then receive the KCT codes via SMS. There might be a small fee, and it’s usually only available on specific networks like MTN. - DisCo Offices or Customer Service: If online methods aren’t working, you can visit your DisCo’s office or reach out to customer care. For example, Kano Electricity (KEDCO) allows customers to request KCTs through their online portal by filling out a form. After that, the tokens will be emailed to you.
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Step 3: Input the KCT Codes Into Your Meter
Go to your meter (or the keypad for your meter) in your home and carefully enter the codes in the correct order:
- Enter KCT1: Start by typing the first 20-digit Key Change Token into the meter’s keypad. After typing it, press the “Enter” or “Accept” button. The meter should show a confirmation message, like “Success,” to let you know the first code was accepted.
- Enter KCT2: Next, type in the second 20-digit Key Change Token and press Enter. The meter will again confirm that the code was accepted. This second code completes the upgrade process for your meter.
- Enter Your Energy Token: Lastly, input the usual 20-digit prepaid token for the electricity units you bought. Press Enter, and the units will be added to your meter as expected.
Link to Upgrade Prepaid Meter Online
Each electricity distribution company (DisCo) in Nigeria has its website or portal where you can generate the Key Change Tokens (KCT) for your prepaid meter upgrade or find instructions on how to get them.
Below, we’ve listed the steps to access the upgrade tokens for some of the major DisCos in Nigeria. If you’re wondering how to upgrade your prepaid meter online, just check out your DisCo in the list below:
Ikeja Electric (IKEDC)
Ikeja Electric serves a large part of Lagos, and they have a dedicated website for upgrading your meter. To get your Key Change Token (KCT), go to the Ikeja Electric website, enter your meter number, and submit it. The website will instantly provide you with two 20-digit KCT codes, KCT-1 and KCT-2.
You can then input these codes into your meter to complete the upgrade. If you purchase electricity through the Ikeja e-billing platform, the system will automatically generate the KCT codes along with your normal recharge token, provided you have linked your National Identification Number (NIN) to your meter.
Additionally, Ikeja offers a USSD option: dial *7024# to receive the tokens via SMS. With these methods, Ikeja Electric customers can upgrade their meters online or via USSD without needing to visit any office.
Eko Electricity (EKEDC)
For customers in Lagos served by Eko Electricity, there is an online portal for upgrading your meter. Visit the website and enter your meter number. The system will provide you with two 20-digit KCT codes.
Enter them into your meter (KCT-1 followed by KCT-2) to complete the upgrade. If you purchase a token from an official vendor, the KCTs will automatically be included with your usual token, and they will be visible in your receipt or sent via SMS.
Eko Electric has emphasized that the upgrade process is free of charge. They also set up help desks to assist customers, but if you missed that, you can still use the online portal to get your KCT codes.
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Abuja Electricity (AEDC)
Abuja Electricity has a portal where you can check if your meter is eligible for the upgrade and retrieve your KCTs if you reside in Abuja. Here’s how: visit, enter your meter number, and search. If your meter qualifies, the portal will display the KCT codes you need.
Once you have the codes, input them into your meter, followed by the normal recharge token. If your meter is an older model and not eligible for the software update, the portal will advise you to contact AEDC for a replacement. AEDC provides support through its offices and hotlines if needed.
Kano Electricity (KEDCO)
Kano Electric provides a customer service portal for getting your KCT. To get the upgrade tokens, visit, submit a support ticket for a “Key Change Token,” and fill in your meter details.
KEDCO will email you the two 20-digit KCTs. Once you receive them, simply input the codes into your meter to complete the upgrade.
This online solution means that customers in Kano can get their upgrade tokens without visiting a customer service office.
Ibadan Electricity (IBEDC)
IBEDC has made the process easier by issuing the KCT codes automatically when you purchase a token. If you buy a token from an IBEDC office or accredited vendor, your receipt will include three 20-digit numbers: KCT-1, KCT-2, and your usual token.
If you haven’t recharged in a while or didn’t receive the codes, you can visit their website. Enter your meter number, and the website will generate the KCT codes.
IBEDC emphasizes that the upgrade process is free, and they have made it clear that no customer should pay anyone for the KCT tokens.
Port Harcourt Electricity (PHED)
PHED customers in Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states can visit the website to generate the KCTs. Enter your meter number, and the site will provide the KCT codes.
PHED also offers alternative channels like WhatsApp support and customer service for those who need assistance. As with other DisCos, the upgrade process is free.
Enugu Electricity (EEDC)
Enugu Electricity has provided KCT codes with every token purchase. Customers can get their KCTs directly when they recharge. EEDC reminds customers to be cautious of fraudsters asking for payment for the upgrade, as the process is entirely free.
For those who have not yet upgraded, EEDC recommends purchasing tokens from an authorized outlet, which will include the KCT codes. While there isn’t a specific online portal listed, EEDC provides support through their customer service channels.
Other DisCos
For DisCos like Jos (JED), Kaduna (Kaduna Electric), and Benin (BEDC), the process is generally similar.
Most DisCos will provide the KCT automatically when you recharge, and if you haven’t received the codes, you can contact customer service.
Prepaid Meter Upgrade Code
*7024# is not a code that works for all electricity companies in Nigeria. Each electricity provider has its way of handling meter upgrades, with most using websites or directly sending tokens instead of USSD codes.
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How Much Does it Cost to Upgrade a Prepaid Meter?
Upgrading your prepaid meter (the TID rollover/STS 2.0 upgrade) is completely free for all customers. According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the electricity distribution companies, there should be no cost for the upgrade tokens or services.
The DisCos are providing the Key Change Tokens at no charge. Enugu Disco, for example, has specifically warned customers to be careful of fraudsters trying to charge for the upgrade, making it clear that no one will have to pay anything for the meter upgrade.
How Much Money Can You Put on a Prepaid Electricity Meter?
If you’re wondering about the maximum amount you can load onto your prepaid meter, the good news is there isn’t a fixed upper limit. You can generally buy as much electricity credit as you need, depending on your budget.
The money you pay gets converted into electricity units (kWh) based on your DisCo’s current tariff rate, and your meter will reflect those units. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Transaction Limits: While the meter can handle large amounts of credit, some payment methods might have limits. For example, if you’re paying through a bank’s app or another payment platform, there may be a cap, such as a ₦100,000 limit per transaction. Some services also have a minimum amount, like ₦1,000, which means you can’t load less than that in one go.
- Monthly Purchase Limits: Some DisCos might discourage very large purchases, especially if a price increase is expected. For example, some meters may show an error code if you try to load too much credit at once, or if you’ve already hit a certain limit for the month.
- Meter Capacity: Prepaid meters have a large enough memory to store plenty of credit, so it’s unlikely that a regular purchase will overflow it. In most cases, you won’t hit a technical limit, so the system will easily accept the amount you want to load.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will the meter upgrade make my meter read faster or increase my bill?
No, upgrading your meter will not make it consume credits faster or inflate your usage
What is a Key Change Token (KCT)?
A Key Change Token is a special 20-digit code (actually provided as two 20-digit numbers) used to update or reset a prepaid meter’s configuration.
Do I need my NIN (National ID Number) to upgrade the meter?
In most cases, yes, you should link your NIN to the meter as part of the process.
What if my meter rejects the Key Change Token or shows an error?
First, double-check that you entered the digits correctly and in the right order. If you see an error like “rejected” or the meter doesn’t give the success confirmation, you may have to contact your DisCo for assistance.
Conclusion
Upgrading your prepaid meter online in Nigeria is all about making sure you keep getting power without interruptions after the old system stops working. At first, it may seem like a complicated process, but it’s simple: link your National ID (NIN), get your special upgrade codes, and enter them into your meter. Once you do this, your meter will be updated to the new system, and you can keep using it just like before.
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References
- Techpoint.africa – 3 ways to get KCTs on your mobile phone without going to Ikeja Electric office
- Phed.com.ng – FAQ on Prepaid Meter Upgrade
- Majorwavesenergyreport.com – EEDC Prepaid Meter Upgrade: What You Need To Know
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