Weights and Measures - Nigeria

Weights and Measures is a division in the Federal Ministry of Commerce. Its main objective is to ensure accurate weights and measures, weighting and measuring equipment used for Trade within the economy

Weights and Measurers laws are enforced all over the Federation through the state offices, located in the various state capitals, with Abuja as the Headquarters. These offices are managed by trained Inspectors. The Primary Standards are kept in Abuja and its accuracy is traceable to the international base standard of the kilograms and the meter which are defined and maintained by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) based in Paris.

Responsibilities are

• maintenance of the Standard of Weights and Measures in the country.
• verification and certification of weights, measures, weighing and measuring instruments used in the economy through visits to petrol retail outlets, petrol depots, supermarkets, open markets, grocery shops, factories, airports etc.
• to protect consumers from the use of unjust weights or measurers or misrepresentation.
• The approval of newly manufactured within or measuring instruments through the issuance of the "Certificate of Approval of Pattern".
• Issuance of certificates of verification" for any weights, measures weighing or measuring instruments found to be accurate within the limits of error prescribed by the law.
• Prosecution of those who go contrary to the law.