Relief for Nigerians as meter makers drop lawsuit, meter rollout resumes

Orisemeke Benjamin

The Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) has withdrawn its lawsuit against the Federal Government, clearing the way for procurement of 1.55 million smart meters and allowing stalled metering programmes to resume.

The withdrawal was filed as a Notice of Discontinuance at the Federal High Court in Kano after intervention by Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe and a high‑level meeting with AMMON and agencies including the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

“The meeting produced a mutually agreeable solution that respects local participation while adhering to competitive procurement rules.

“We have reached a practical settlement that protects jobs and secures the financing needed to close our metering gap,” Tegbe said. 

AMMON had obtained an injunction in April 2026 that halted bidding on the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF 3) and the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI). The association’s decision to discontinue the suit ends the legal impasse, officials said, allowing the government’s metering interventions to proceed at full pace.

“We welcome the government’s commitment to our concerns,” an AMMON spokesperson said. “With assurances on procurement transparency and local content, we are confident this outcome supports both industry growth and consumer interests.”

Government sources said the resolution balances the administration’s “Nigeria First” push for industrial participation with the need to meet international procurement standards and unlock financing. The move was described as consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to boost industrial self‑reliance and accelerate power sector reforms.

Closing the metering gap is expected to strengthen revenue collection for distribution companies and reduce estimated billing that has long frustrated consumers. 

“This agreement is a significant step towards reliable, accountable billing and improved service delivery,” said a senior Ministry official.

With the injunction lifted, procurement can recommence and meter deployment across the country is set to accelerate, delivering relief to millions of electricity customers.