A Federal High Court in Kano has ordered a temporary halt to the Federal Government’s ongoing smart meter procurement process, directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a substantive motion.
The order was issued on Wednesday by Justice M. N. Yunusa following an ex parte application filed by the Trustee of the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) on behalf of its members. The suit, marked FHC/KN/CS/214/2026, lists the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Bureau of Public Enterprises as respondents.
AMMON, whose members include Mojec International Nigeria Limited and other indigenous manufacturers, is contesting the procurement process for the supply and installation of smart meters across eleven electricity distribution companies. The association alleges violations of due process and the marginalisation of local industry players.
The procurement exercise, announced in January 2026, was scheduled to close on the same day the court intervened. Justice Yunusa further directed that all relevant processes be served on the respondents and adjourned the matter to May 26, 2026, for a compliance report.
The case underscores ongoing tensions surrounding the Federal Government’s efforts to bridge Nigeria’s metering gap and eliminate estimated billing, with local manufacturers consistently raising concerns over limited participation in large-scale contracts.
