President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reforming Nigeria’s electricity sector, promising a more transparent, accountable, and reliable power supply for all citizens. This assurance was highlighted during the official launch of a specialized smart meter installation training programme for 5,000 young Nigerians in Abuja.
The initiative, which falls under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), was flagged off at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN). The President, represented at the event by Joseph Tegbe, emphasized that revitalizing the nation’s energy sector requires consistent policy execution, strategic partnerships, and technical excellence.
Empowering Nigerian Youth Through Technical Training
Beyond modernizing the power grid, the training initiative serves as a major employment vehicle. While the initial cohort consists of 5,000 trainees, the federal government plans to progressively scale the programme in partnership with state governments and key stakeholders, aiming to eventually train up to 500,000 youths across the country.
According to the President, the target is to build a skilled workforce capable of installing smart meters professionally and at scale, ensuring every electricity consumer pays only for the energy they consume, while service providers receive accurate compensation for their supply.
Eliminating Estimated Billing with Smart Technology
Estimated billing has long been a source of friction in Nigeria’s electricity value chain. The smart metering drive is designed to eliminate this bottleneck, replacing consumer suspicion with trust and accurate energy measurement.
Mrs. Olu Verheijen, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy and Executive Secretary of the PMI, revealed that the federal government is deploying over seven million smart meters. This ambitious rollout represents the largest metering intervention in Nigeria’s history.
Pathway to Sustainable Employment
Highlighting the massive youth interest in the programme, Verheijen noted that the application portal received nearly 220,000 submissions for the initial 5,000 slots. The training will commence in the Federal Capital Territory before expanding across all six geopolitical zones to ensure nationwide inclusivity.
Graduates of the programme will benefit from a structured career pathway, including:
- Professional Instruction: High-quality technical training delivered by NAPTIN.
- Official Certification: Industry-recognized certification from the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
- Direct Employment Pathways: Direct connections to job opportunities with electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and registered meter asset providers.
Through this coordinated approach of capacity building and massive infrastructure deployment, the federal government aims to resolve the country’s metering deficit while equipping the next generation with future-ready technical skills.