President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched Power Force, a national programme to train 5,000 young Nigerians to install smart electricity meters as part of efforts to expand metering, create jobs and support ongoing reforms in the power sector.
The programme, under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) and implemented in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is designed to address the shortage of skilled meter installers while creating employment opportunities for young people.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Metering Initiative, Olu Verheijen, said the programme would support the Federal Government’s drive to improve electricity sector performance through faster deployment of smart meters.
According to the statement, wider metering is expected to reduce estimated billing, improve transparency in electricity charges, strengthen revenue collection and enhance service delivery across the country.
The first phase of the programme will begin in Abuja in July before expanding to the six geopolitical zones.
Participants will undergo technical training at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, while certification and compliance will be overseen by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency. Successful trainees will be linked with electricity distribution companies, meter providers and other industry partners for deployment.
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described Power Force as a federation-wide initiative that combines youth employment with efforts to improve electricity access across the country.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the programme would help build the skilled workforce needed to sustain reforms in the electricity sector.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the programme would equip young Nigerians with practical technical skills, recognised certification and pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
Verheijen said expanded metering would strengthen consumer confidence by ensuring customers are billed only for electricity consumed, while improving industry revenues and encouraging investment in the sector.
Applications for the first cohort will open on July 4 and remain open for two weeks through the Presidential Metering Initiative’s online application portal.
