The Federal Government has officially launched the Power Force Programme under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) as part of efforts to bridge Nigeria’s metering gap, strengthen the electricity sector and create jobs for young Nigerians.

‎Minister of Power, Hon. Joseph Tegbe, announced this at the programme’s flag-off with top government officials, regulators, industry stakeholders and development partners in attendance.

‎Speaking at the event, the minister described the initiative as a major step toward transforming the nation’s power sector through investment in both infrastructure and human capital.

He commended the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Presidential Metering Initiative, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), electricity distribution companies and other partners for collaborating to make the programme a reality.

Tegbe said the Power Force Programme is designed to address the shortage of skilled personnel required to support the nationwide rollout of electricity meters. He noted that the first batch of 5,000 trainees would form the backbone of Nigeria’s smart metering workforce, helping to ensure the professional installation of meters in homes and businesses while improving technical and safety standards across the sector.

‎The minister identified inadequate metering as one of the major causes of the liquidity challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity industry, explaining that inaccurate measurement of electricity consumption undermines revenue collection, discourages investment and weakens service delivery.

According to him, expanding access to smart meters will promote transparency, eliminate estimated billing, improve consumer confidence and provide distribution companies with more reliable revenue.

He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing reforms to restore financial sustainability in the electricity market while ensuring fairness and accountability.

Tegbe also welcomed the withdrawal of a court case by the Association of Meter Asset Providers of Nigeria (AMMON), describing the decision as a significant breakthrough that has removed a major obstacle to accelerating meter deployment across the country.

Beyond improving electricity services, the minister said the programme would create employment opportunities, equip young Nigerians with marketable technical skills, promote local content development and support economic growth. He stressed that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building a commercially viable electricity sector driven by a skilled workforce capable of sustaining ongoing reforms.

Tegbe urged the trainees to embrace the opportunity with discipline and professionalism, saying the knowledge they acquire would contribute to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to closing the country’s metering gap and assured Nigerians that ongoing reforms would deliver a more transparent, accountable and sustainable electricity sector.