The Federal Government has launched the first phase of training for 5,000 smart electricity meter installers under the Power Force Programme, a key component of the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI).
The programme, inaugurated at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in Abuja, will equip selected participants with three weeks of intensive classroom and practical training before they are certified and deployed across the country as smart meter installers.
According to the Presidential Metering Initiative, nearly 220,000 young Nigerians applied for the 5,000 available slots, highlighting the strong interest in the initiative.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the trainees would become the foundation of Nigeria’s smart metering workforce, stressing that the government’s electricity reforms are focused not only on improving infrastructure but also on creating jobs, developing skills and boosting livelihoods.
He also praised the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) for withdrawing its legal challenge against the metering programme, noting that the move would accelerate the nationwide rollout of smart meters.
Executive Secretary of the Presidential Metering Initiative, Olu Verheijen, described the scheme as the largest metering programme in Nigeria’s history. She said it was established in 2023 to ensure Nigerians are billed only for the electricity they actually consume while addressing long-standing challenges in the power sector.
Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, encouraged state governments to support the initiative and help expand the number of beneficiaries beyond the initial 5,000 trainees.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayo Olawande, said the programme aligns with the ministry’s One Youth, Two Skills initiative, describing it as a major step toward creating employment opportunities and empowering young Nigerians.
Following the Abuja launch, training will be extended to centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Successful participants will receive certification from the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), qualifying them to install smart meters in line with national and international safety standards.
