President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a new skills acquisition programme aimed at training 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), in a move designed to tackle the country’s metering deficit, create employment and improve electricity service delivery.
The President announced the initiative, known as The Power Force, in a statement shared on his verified X account on Thursday, describing it as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to equip young Nigerians with practical skills while strengthening the nation’s power sector.
Tinubu said the programme would provide participants with technical training and connect them with employment opportunities in the electricity industry.
According to the President, the initiative forms part of broader efforts to eliminate estimated billing, protect electricity consumers and improve the efficiency of the country’s electricity market.
“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,” Tinubu stated.
He explained that the training would be open to qualified Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The President stressed that expanding the use of electricity meters remains key to ensuring fairness and transparency in electricity billing while improving the financial sustainability of power distribution companies.
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He noted that proper metering would enable consumers to pay only for electricity consumed, while helping distribution companies reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand access and improve service delivery.
“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 added.
Tinubu also directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders to begin implementation of the programme within the next 30 days.
He urged eligible young Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity, saying the initiative would not only provide employable skills but also contribute to the government’s drive to end estimated billing and expand access to reliable electricity 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,” the President said.