If you own a Nigerian home or rental property while living abroad, buying electricity units can become an unnecessary hassle when a tenant, caretaker or family member suddenly needs power credit.
For properties using prepaid meters, buying electricity units in Nigeria online from overseas can allow you to arrange electricity credit remotely without travelling back to Nigeria.
How to Buy Electricity Units Remotely
Before making a purchase, confirm the correct:
- Meter number
- Electricity distribution company
- Amount required
- Property location
- Person who will receive the token
The meter number is particularly important. Entering an incorrect number can result in the token being issued for another meter.
After payment through an appropriate channel, the electricity token can normally be passed to the person at the property for use.
Buying Units for a Nigerian Property From the UK
For example, if you live in London and your tenant in Lagos says the prepaid meter is almost out of units, you do not necessarily need to wait until someone in Nigeria can make the payment.
You can arrange the purchase remotely and send the token to the tenant or caretaker.
The same approach can be useful for property owners in the US, Canada, UAE and other countries.
What If You Don’t Know the Meter Number?
Do not guess.
Ask the tenant, caretaker or another trusted person at the property to provide the meter number before making the purchase.
You should also confirm the electricity provider serving the property, particularly if you manage properties in different Nigerian cities.
How Much Electricity Should You Buy?
The amount depends on the property’s consumption and how frequently electricity is being used.
A small apartment may require a different amount from a large family house or commercial property.
If you manage a rental property, keeping records of previous purchases can help you understand the property’s typical electricity spending.
Buying Electricity Units for Tenants
For landlords living abroad, electricity purchases may sometimes be part of managing a rental property.
You can coordinate the payment while the tenant provides:
- Meter number
- Current unit balance
- Amount required
- Payment confirmation details
If electricity is the tenant’s responsibility under the tenancy agreement, the landlord should still keep clear records of any payments made on the tenant’s behalf.
How Travo.ng Can Help
Travo.ng can coordinate relevant electricity-unit payment and utility support where the requested service is available.
This may include:
- Prepaid electricity token purchase coordination
- Meter information confirmation
- Token delivery to tenants or caretakers
- Payment follow-up
- Utility-related local support
- Communication with property occupants
Official electricity charges and the availability of payment channels depend on the relevant electricity provider.
Keep Your Electricity Payment Records
If you regularly purchase electricity for Nigerian properties, keep a simple record of:
- Property
- Meter number
- Amount purchased
- Date
- Token or transaction reference
- Recipient
This can make it easier to monitor expenses and resolve payment issues.
Keep Your Nigerian Property Powered From Abroad
Whether you own a house in Lagos, an apartment in Abuja or another Nigerian property, managing electricity payments remotely can save you unnecessary travel and coordination.
Travo.ng can help coordinate relevant electricity payment and property-support services where available, making it easier to manage your Nigerian property while overseas.
