President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that ongoing reforms in the power sector will create a more transparent, accountable, and efficient electricity system as the Federal Government begins training 5,000 young Nigerians in smart meter installation.
The training programme, launched under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), is aimed at developing skilled manpower for the nationwide rollout of smart meters and improving electricity services across the country.
Represented by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, during the programme’s inauguration at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in Abuja, Tinubu said the reforms would help eliminate estimated billing and rebuild public confidence in the electricity sector.
The President stated that every Nigerian should pay only for the electricity they consume, explaining that smart meters would provide accurate billing while ensuring electricity companies receive proper payment for services delivered.
Tinubu said the transformation of the power sector would require continuous commitment, technical expertise, and cooperation among stakeholders, assuring citizens that the government is working toward building a more reliable electricity system.
He revealed that the programme would be expanded beyond the initial 5,000 participants, with plans to train up to 500,000 Nigerians as part of efforts to create jobs and develop technical skills.
According to the President, the Power Force programme was created to build a skilled workforce capable of installing smart meters professionally and supporting the country’s electricity reforms.
He described smart metering as a key part of improving the power sector by replacing inaccurate estimates with reliable measurements and helping consumers better manage their electricity usage.
The Executive Secretary of the Presidential Metering Initiative, Olu Verheijen, said the Federal Government plans to install more than seven million smart meters nationwide, making it the largest metering project in Nigeria’s history.
She noted that the success of the programme depends on having enough trained professionals, adding that thousands of skilled workers would be needed to support the installation process.
Verheijen disclosed that nearly 220,000 young Nigerians applied for the first 5,000 training positions, describing the response as evidence of the willingness of young people to gain employment-focused skills.
She explained that trainees would receive professional instruction from NAPTIN, certification from the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), and opportunities to work with electricity distribution companies and meter providers.
Other officials, including Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and NAPTIN Director-General Ahmed Nagode, highlighted the importance of the initiative in reducing Nigeria’s metering gap and developing skilled professionals for the electricity industry.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with NEMSA, NAPTIN, the World Bank, and other stakeholders as part of broader efforts to improve Nigeria’s power sector.
