President Bola Tinubu has unveiled Power Force, a nationwide initiative aimed at training 5,000 young Nigerians in smart electricity meter installation as part of efforts to accelerate metering across the country, create jobs and deepen reforms in the power sector.
The programme, which will be implemented under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is designed to address the shortage of skilled meter installers while opening new employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Nigerian youths.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Metering Initiative, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, the initiative aligns with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda by combining youth empowerment with critical infrastructure development.
Power Force is expected to play a key role in expanding access to smart electricity meters, a move the government believes will reduce the persistent problem of estimated billing, improve transparency in electricity charges, strengthen revenue collection by distribution companies and ultimately enhance service delivery to consumers.
The initiative also seeks to equip participants with practical technical skills, industry-recognised certification and direct pathways to employment within Nigeria’s electricity value chain.
The first phase of the programme will commence in Abuja in July 2026, after which it will be extended to the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Successful applicants will undergo intensive technical training at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), while certification and quality assurance will be supervised by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
Upon completion, graduates will be linked with electricity distribution companies, meter manufacturers, meter asset providers and other stakeholders for potential employment and deployment.
Speaking on the initiative, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described Power Force as a collaborative national programme that will deliver benefits across the federation.
“Power Force is a federation initiative that connects opportunity with impact, creating jobs for young Nigerians while strengthening electricity access in every state,” he said.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the programme underscores the government’s commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of driving the transformation of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
“A stronger power sector begins with skilled people. Power Force invests in Nigerian talent to power our nation’s future,” the minister stated.
Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative reflects the administration’s resolve to provide practical opportunities rather than temporary interventions for young people.
“Young Nigerians want opportunity, not handouts. Power Force gives them practical skills, recognised certification, and a direct pathway to meaningful work that supports national development,” he said.
Executive Secretary of the Presidential Metering Initiative, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, noted that expanding metering remains critical to restoring confidence in Nigeria’s electricity market.
“Metering restores trust. When customers pay only for what they use, revenues improve, investment follows, and service gets better. Power Force helps us scale that progress faster,” she said.
Applications for the inaugural batch of trainees will open on July 4, 2026, and remain open for two weeks.
The Federal Government said interested applicants can obtain eligibility requirements and submit their applications through the official Presidential Metering Initiative and NAPTIN application portals.
