President Bola Tinubu has launched a new employment initiative aimed at training 5,000 young Nigerians as electricity meter installers and technicians, as part of efforts to eliminate estimated billing, bridge the country’s metering gap and strengthen the nation’s power sector.
The President announced the programme, known as The Power Force, in a statement shared on his verified X account on Thursday, describing it as a key component of the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) and his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda for youth empowerment and economic development.
According to Tinubu, the initiative is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical technical skills while creating thousands of employment opportunities in the electricity industry.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” the President said.
Tinubu explained that the training programme would be open to qualified Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, adding that a dedicated quota has been reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
He stressed that widespread electricity metering remains crucial to improving transparency, protecting consumers and enhancing the efficiency of electricity distribution companies.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” he stated.
The President disclosed that he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He urged interested and eligible young Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity, describing the initiative as a pathway to acquiring valuable skills, securing employment and contributing to ongoing efforts to improve electricity supply across the country.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” Tinubu added.
