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The short answer
New connections in IBEDC's area start on its New Connection Portal (ncp.ibedc.com) or at your Business Hub; IBEDC inspects the premises, and the building is metered before supply. IBEDC's pages do not publish a connection fee schedule, so get every charge in writing from IBEDC; its MAP metering route states "no application fee, no processing fee" and refunds the meter cost through energy credit.
Who this is for
A new connection is for a building that has never had IBEDC supply, or a new unit carved out of an existing one. If the building already has supply and you are simply moving in, see moving house in IBEDC area instead. IBEDC serves Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Kwara states and parts of Niger, Ekiti and Kogi, according to its website; confirm your area first in which states IBEDC covers.
The steps
- Wire the building properly first. Use a qualified electrician; the internal wiring should be complete, with a distribution board and earthing, before you apply.
- Apply. IBEDC's website points to a "Request New Connection" page and a New Connection Portal at ncp.ibedc.com. You can also apply at the customer care office at your nearest Business Hub.
- Technical evaluation. IBEDC inspects the site to check the nearest network point, whether existing poles, cables and the transformer can carry the extra load, and whether your wiring is ready.
- Get the costs in writing. If extra materials are needed (poles, service cable, a transformer upgrade for estates), ask IBEDC for an itemised written estimate.
- Meter. New customers should be metered. Under IBEDC's MAP route you apply at msms.ibedc.com/map for a MAP ID, receive an SMS to pay after a successful technical evaluation, and are metered within 10 working days of payment. See IBEDC prepaid meter: how to apply and the current price.
- Connection and first token. Once the meter is installed and connected, buy a first token and confirm it loads.
What you can expect to pay
| Item | What IBEDC's pages say | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Application or processing fee (MAP meter) | "No Application fee, no processing fee" on IBEDC's new metering notice | Refuse any such charge for a MAP meter and ask for it in writing if pressed |
| Meter | Prices listed on IBEDC's new metering page, VAT inclusive, updated from 9 September 2026; meter cost refunded through energy credit (36 months in the FAQs) | Check the current price on ibedc.com/new_metering |
| Network materials (poles, cable) | No schedule on the pages we opened | Ask for an itemised written estimate |
| Labour by your electrician | Private arrangement | Agree in writing; keep receipts |
Estates and multi-unit buildings
Where a developer or landlord adds several flats, IBEDC may require a larger supply arrangement, such as a dedicated transformer. Questions to settle before you start: who owns the transformer once installed, whether costs are refunded, and whether each unit will get its own meter. Each unit having its own meter avoids disputes between tenants over a shared bill and lets every tenant buy tokens independently.
Common delays and how to avoid them
- Incomplete wiring at inspection: get your electrician to finish first.
- No clear address or landmark: give GPS coordinates or a pin when applying.
- Network capacity: if the local transformer is overloaded, connection may wait for an upgrade; ask IBEDC for the plan in writing.
- Meter not yet installed: chase with your MAP ID and payment date; IBEDC's FAQs give 10 working days after payment.
If a delay runs on, write to customercare@ibedc.com quoting your application reference, then escalate if needed through IBEDC's complaint route. In Oyo State, OSERC took over regulation from NERC under an order dated 5 August 2024, so ask IBEDC which regulator's connection rules apply there.
Before you apply: a short checklist
- Proof of ownership or a lease for the property, and a valid ID; ask IBEDC which documents it needs, as the pages we opened do not list them.
- An electrician's confirmation that internal wiring is complete.
- An estimate of your load: the main appliances, especially air conditioners, pumps and freezers, which affects whether you need single-phase or three-phase supply.
- The nearest IBEDC pole or transformer, and a landmark or map pin for the inspector.
- A phone number that will receive IBEDC's SMS messages, since the MAP payment notice is sent by SMS.
Being ready on inspection day is the simplest way to shorten the process. If the inspector notes a defect, ask for it in writing so your electrician fixes the right thing.
Keep every document from the process in one place: the application reference, the inspection report, any written estimate, payment receipts and the MAP ID. If you sell or let the building later, the next owner or tenant will need the meter number and proof the connection was done through IBEDC, and a complete file answers most questions at once.
Where Pryme fits
Builders and landlords juggling several sites can keep project money apart: a Pryme Business Account supports multiple accounts and bulk payouts to contractors, and every payment is recorded, which helps when you reconcile what was paid to IBEDC and to electricians.
Questions people ask
How much does IBEDC charge for new connection?
IBEDC did not publish a connection fee schedule on the pages we checked. Ask for an itemised written estimate; MAP meters have no application or processing fee, according to IBEDC.
How do I apply for new IBEDC connection online?
Use IBEDC's New Connection Portal at ncp.ibedc.com, or apply at your nearest Business Hub.
How long does IBEDC take to meter a new house?
IBEDC's FAQs say customers are to be metered within 10 working days after payment for a MAP meter.
Do I need my own transformer?
Only if IBEDC's technical evaluation finds the local network cannot carry the load. Ask for that finding and any cost in writing.
Sources
- IBEDC: Metering (MAP and National Mass Metering Programme) · accessed Oct 2026
- IBEDC: Updated MAP meter prices notice · accessed Oct 2026
- IBEDC: MAP frequently asked questions · accessed Oct 2026
- Mondaq (Alliance Law Firm): Highlights of the order transferring Oyo electricity regulation to OSERC (16 Oct 2024) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.