FG Assures Better Electricity, Begins Training of 5,000 Youths for Smart Meter Installers

• The Federal Government has launched the training of its first batch of 5,000 smart meter installers under the Power Force programme, revealing that nearly 220,000 young Nigerians applied for the limited slots.

The Federal Government has officially commenced the training of the first batch of 5,000 smart electricity meter installers under the Power Force programme, marking a major step in its efforts to accelerate electricity metering and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

The flag-off ceremony took place on Thursday at the headquarters of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in Abuja, where the first cohort of successful applicants was unveiled.

According to the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), the programme attracted overwhelming interest, with close to 220,000 young Nigerians applying for just 5,000 available slots.

The selected participants will undergo an intensive three-week practical and classroom training programme before being deployed nationwide as certified smart electricity meter installers.

In a statement titled “Nigeria Accelerates Smart Meter Deployment With Flag-off Of Training For First Batch of Meter Installers,” the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Metering Initiative and Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, said the initiative is designed to build the skilled workforce needed to drive Nigeria’s metering revolution.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, described the trainees as the foundation of Nigeria’s future smart metering workforce.

“Behind every successful metering programme must stand thousands of competent, certified and dedicated technicians.

“The 5,000 young Nigerians being trained under this initiative will become the backbone of Nigeria’s smart metering workforce,” he said.

Tegbe noted that the programme goes beyond improving electricity infrastructure, saying it is equally focused on creating jobs, developing human capital and improving livelihoods.

“Our electricity reforms are not merely about equipment and technology; they are equally about creating opportunities, building human capital and securing livelihoods,” the minister added.

He also praised the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) for withdrawing a legal challenge against the meter deployment programme, describing the decision as a significant boost to the nationwide rollout of smart meters.

Verheijen described the Presidential Metering Initiative as the largest metering programme in Nigeria’s history, noting that it was established by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 to eliminate one of the biggest obstacles to an efficient electricity sector.

According to her, the initiative is aimed at ensuring Nigerians are billed only for the electricity they actually consume.

“The PMI was established to ensure that every Nigerian pays only for the electricity they actually use,” she said.

Explaining the significance of training 5,000 installers, Verheijen said the programme could spark a nationwide movement.

“One young installer cannot transform Nigeria. But five thousand can inspire fifty thousand. And fifty thousand can inspire millions more. That is how movements begin—one opportunity, one person, one act of service at a time.”

Also speaking, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the NGF Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Edmund Nnaji, urged state governments to support the initiative and help expand the number of trainees beyond the initial 5,000.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayo Olawande, said the programme aligns with his ministry’s One Youth, Two Skills initiative, describing it as a major employment and empowerment opportunity for Nigerian youths.

“This is not just the launch of a training programme; it is about creating jobs and opportunities for Nigerian youths to contribute to national development,” he said.

Following the Abuja launch, the training programme will be expanded to centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Upon completion, participants will receive official certification from the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), qualifying them as certified smart meter installers in line with national and international safety and competency standards.

The event was attended by top government officials, including the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayo Gbeleyi, the Managing Director of NAPTIN, Ahmed Bolaji Nagode, and the Managing Director of NEMSA, Adesayo Michael.