FG Launches Power Force Programme to Train 5,000 Youth, Fast-Track Smart Meter Rollout Across Nigeria
By Pan Afric Reporters
Initiative under Presidential Metering Programme targets five million smart meters by 2027, 20,000 jobs and ₦3 trillion revenue boost
The Federal Government has launched the Power Force Programme, a flagship initiative under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), aimed at bridging Nigeria’s electricity metering gap by training 5,000 young Nigerians as certified metering technicians while accelerating the nationwide deployment of smart meters.
The programme, officially launched by the Minister of Power, Hon. Joseph O. Tegbe, is expected to deepen electricity sector reforms, promote transparency in billing, create thousands of jobs and improve power distribution efficiency across the country.
The development was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Power and signed by Clement Ezeorah, Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations).
The inauguration ceremony, held at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in Idu, Abuja, brought together major stakeholders, including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, NAPTIN, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), development partners and representatives of the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The Ministry explained that the Presidential Metering Initiative, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in November 2023, targets the deployment of five million smart meters by 2027 to eliminate estimated billing, improve energy accountability and modernise Nigeria’s electricity network.
According to the Ministry, the initiative is expected to reduce Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses from the current 40 per cent to the global benchmark of 20 per cent, strengthen revenue collection and support the development of a smarter and more efficient electricity grid.
A major component of the programme is the Power Force Programme, which will equip 5,000 Nigerian youths with the technical skills required to install and maintain smart meters nationwide.
Beyond the direct training opportunities, the initiative is projected to generate more than 20,000 jobs for local meter assemblers, installers and other value chain participants while increasing revenue in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) to about ₦3 trillion within three years.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe described smart metering as a critical pillar of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the power sector, stressing that it would promote fairness, transparency and accountability for both electricity consumers and service providers.
“Every Nigerian deserves to pay only for the electricity they consume, and every service provider deserves to be compensated for the electricity genuinely supplied—that is the fairness smart metering guarantees,” Tegbe said.
The Minister urged the pioneer trainees to approach the programme with dedication and professionalism, noting that their role would be pivotal to transforming Nigeria’s electricity sector and supporting broader economic growth.
He said the initiative reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to expanding access to reliable electricity, empowering young Nigerians with employable technical skills and building a sustainable power sector capable of meeting the country’s growing energy needs.
The launch of the Power Force Programme marks another milestone in the implementation of the Presidential Metering Initiative, which seeks to eliminate estimated billing, improve consumer confidence, strengthen the financial viability of the electricity industry and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a modern, technology-driven power sector.
