Nigerian electricity consumers may soon witness renewed efforts to end years of estimated billing as the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) has withdrawn its legal action against the Federal Government, paving the way for the resumption of a major procurement process involving 1.55 million smart electricity meters.
The withdrawal of the suit, filed through a Notice of Discontinuance at the Federal High Court in Kano, effectively ends a dispute that had stalled bidding processes under key government metering intervention schemes, including the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF 3) and the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI).
The development followed a high-level intervention by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, who facilitated engagements between local meter manufacturers and relevant government agencies in a bid to resolve concerns over the procurement framework.
The dispute had escalated in April 2026 when AMMON obtained a court injunction halting the bidding process for the metering programmes, raising concerns over possible delays in government’s efforts to bridge the country’s electricity metering deficit.
However, following extensive consultations involving AMMON, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and other stakeholders, a compromise was reached that addressed the concerns of local manufacturers while maintaining compliance with local and international competitive procurement standards.
The resolution has opened the door for the stalled procurement process to continue, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the move will accelerate the deployment of meters to electricity consumers across the country.
The Federal Government has consistently identified the metering gap as one of the biggest challenges confronting Nigeria’s power sector. Millions of electricity users remain without prepaid meters, leaving many dependent on estimated billing systems that have generated widespread complaints over inaccurate charges and lack of transparency.
Beyond improving consumer confidence, increased metering is expected to help electricity distribution companies accurately measure energy consumption, enhance revenue collection and strengthen the financial sustainability of the power sector.
The Minister of Power’s intervention is also seen as part of broader efforts to balance two critical objectives: promoting local industrial participation and ensuring that Nigeria attracts the financing and technical support required to expand electricity infrastructure.
The resolution aligns with the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy thrust, which seeks to encourage domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported equipment, while still maintaining competitive standards in public procurement.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the power sector has been positioned as a major driver of economic growth, with emphasis on expanding electricity access, improving reliability and creating an environment where industries can thrive.
With the legal hurdle now removed, the Federal Government is expected to accelerate implementation of its metering programmes as part of efforts to close Nigeria’s electricity supply chain gaps and deliver a more efficient and consumer-focused power sector.
For millions of Nigerians frustrated by estimated electricity bills, the latest development offers renewed hope that the long-awaited transition to a fully metered electricity system may be gathering momentum. (vitalnewsngr.com)
