FG targets seven million smart meters, begins training 5,000 Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that ongoing reforms in the power sector will lead to better electricity services, greater transparency and a more efficient electricity industry.

The President gave the assurance on Thursday during the launch of the training of 5,000 young Nigerians in smart meter installation under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in Abuja.

Represented by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, Tinubu said the initiative is aimed at ending estimated billing, improving electricity services and restoring public confidence in the sector.

He said every Nigerian deserves to pay only for the electricity they actually use, adding that smart meters will ensure accurate billing while helping electricity distribution companies receive proper payment for power supplied.

Tinubu admitted that transforming the electricity sector would take time but said the government remains committed to making the industry more transparent, accountable and reliable.

He also announced plans to expand the programme beyond the first 5,000 trainees.

According to him, the government hopes to increase the number of participants to 10,000, 15,000 and eventually as many as 500,000 across the country.

The President said the initiative is not only about improving electricity supply but also about creating jobs and equipping young Nigerians with technical skills needed in the power sector.

He explained that the Power Force programme was created to train a skilled workforce that will install smart meters across Nigeria.

Tinubu expressed confidence that the first group of trainees would play a key role in helping millions of homes and businesses receive properly installed smart meters that meet safety and technical standards.

He added that the programme would produce certified electrical and electronic professionals, strengthening Nigeria’s technical workforce.

He described smart metering as an important step in improving the electricity value chain by replacing estimated billing with accurate measurement and building trust between consumers and electricity providers.

Executive Secretary of the Presidential Metering Initiative and Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs Olu Verheijen, said the Federal Government plans to install more than seven million smart meters under what she described as the largest metering programme in Nigeria’s history.

She said the success of the project depends on having enough skilled workers to install the meters.

Verheijen revealed that nearly 220,000 young Nigerians applied for the 5,000 available training positions, showing the strong interest among young people seeking employment opportunities.

She said the training, which begins in Abuja, will later be extended to all six geopolitical zones to ensure equal participation across the country.

According to her, every graduate of the Power Force programme will receive training from NAPTIN, industry certification from the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), and opportunities for employment with electricity distribution companies and meter providers.

Chairman of the Presidential Metering Initiative Board and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by Edmund Obiora Nnaji, said the creation of PMI Smart Grid Development Limited had helped speed up efforts to reduce Nigeria’s metering gap.

He called on state governments to support the initiative by creating more opportunities for young people beyond the first batch of trainees.

NAPTIN Director General Ahmed Nagode said the training combines classroom lessons with practical sessions approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to ensure participants meet national and international standards.

He said the programme is designed to prepare participants for employment, entrepreneurship and long term careers in the electricity sector.

Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande said the initiative supports the ministry’s One Youth, Two Skills programme by providing practical skills that encourage employment, entrepreneurship and self reliance.

The Presidential Metering Initiative is being implemented in partnership with NEMSA, NAPTIN, the World Bank and other stakeholders.