Joseph Bakare
Nigeria has launched the Power Force Programme under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), unveiling a plan to train 5,000 young Nigerians as certified smart meter installers to accelerate electricity metering nationwide and address one of the biggest constraints to the country’s power sector reforms.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at building the skilled workforce required to close Nigeria’s metering gap while creating employment opportunities for young people.
According to the minister, inadequate metering remains a major contributor to the persistent liquidity crisis in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), as the inability to accurately measure electricity consumption has undermined revenue collection, discouraged investment and weakened service delivery across the value chain.
He said accurate metering is critical to restoring financial sustainability in the electricity market, stressing that consumers should only pay for electricity actually consumed, while service providers should receive payment for power genuinely supplied.
“Metering removes disputes. It replaces estimation with accuracy, uncertainty with confidence, and suspicion with trust. It empowers consumers to manage their electricity usage whilst providing DisCos with reliable revenue streams to improve service delivery,” Tegbe said.
The minister noted that the Tinubu administration has continued to implement reforms aimed at restoring liquidity in the electricity market through improved market discipline, financial settlement initiatives and targeted interventions designed to attract sustained private investment into the sector.
Tegbe also welcomed the recent withdrawal of the court action by the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON), describing it as a significant breakthrough that has removed a major obstacle to the accelerated deployment of electricity meters across the country.
He commended AMMON, the Presidential Metering Initiative, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Meter Asset Providers and other stakeholders for resolving the dispute through dialogue.
He assured electricity consumers that the Federal Government remained committed to eliminating the country’s metering deficit, noting that the shortage of trained technical personnel had been identified as a major impediment to achieving that objective.
According to him, the 5,000 trainees under the Power Force Programme will form the backbone of Nigeria’s smart metering workforce, supporting the installation of millions of electricity meters in homes and businesses while ensuring compliance with technical and safety standards.
Beyond strengthening the power sector, Tegbe said the initiative would generate employment, equip young Nigerians with future-ready technical skills, deepen local content and contribute to economic growth.
He added that the programme demonstrates that the government’s electricity reforms extend beyond infrastructure to human capital development and sustainable livelihoods.