Nigeria has commenced training the first batch of technicians under the federal government's plan to deploy seven million smart electricity meters across the country. The Power Force programme, part of the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) launched by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, will train 5,000 young Nigerians as certified smart meter installers.
Massive interest in the programme
According to a statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, nearly 220,000 young Nigerians applied for the programme. Only a fraction were selected for the first phase, which began with a three-week practical and classroom training at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in Abuja.
The statement, shared via Onanuga's X account on Thursday, July 23, highlighted the overwhelming response. Successful participants have started hands-on training before earning certification as qualified smart meter installers.
Reducing Nigeria's metering gap
The government emphasised that the trainees will accelerate the installation of smart meters, helping to reduce Nigeria's metering gap and ensure electricity consumers pay only for the power they use. Power Minister Joseph Tegbe stated, "The 5,000 young Nigerians being trained under this initiative will become the backbone of Nigeria's smart metering workforce."
Tegbe also commended the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) for withdrawing its court case against the metering programme, calling it a move that "removed a significant obstacle to the accelerated deployment of electricity meters across the country."
Certification and expansion plans
After completing the training, participants will receive certification from the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) as qualified meter installers. The programme is set to expand to training centres across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones in later phases.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria's power sector. Earlier, the federal government launched a mobile learning programme for teachers in partnership with UNESCO, aiming to improve professional development across five African countries through digital training.
