By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched Power Force, a new national initiative aimed at training 5,000 young Nigerians to support the nationwide rollout of smart electricity meters, boost job creation, and deepen reforms in the country’s power sector.
The programme, which is being implemented under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is designed to address critical manpower shortages in meter installation while creating employment opportunities for youths.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Metering Initiative, Mrs. Olu Arowolo Verheijen, the initiative aligns with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, job creation, and infrastructure development.
The statement noted that Power Force is part of broader efforts to improve efficiency and financial sustainability in Nigeria’s electricity sector. It explained that increased metering would help curb estimated billing, improve transparency in customer charges, enhance revenue collection, and support better electricity service delivery nationwide.
Under the initiative, participants will receive hands-on technical training, recognised certification, and opportunities for employment or entrepreneurship within the power value chain.
The first phase of the programme is scheduled to commence in Abuja in July 2026, with subsequent rollout planned across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Training will be conducted by the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, while certification and regulatory compliance will be overseen by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency. Successful trainees are expected to be linked with deployment opportunities through electricity distribution companies, meter providers, and other industry stakeholders.
Speaking on the initiative, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described Power Force as a transformative programme that connects opportunity with impact.
“Power Force is a federation initiative that connects opportunity with impact, creating jobs for young Nigerians while strengthening electricity access in every state,” he said.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the programme would strengthen the sector by investing in human capital.
“A stronger power sector begins with skilled people. Power Force invests in Nigerian talent to power our nation’s future,” he stated.
Also speaking, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative demonstrates the administration’s commitment to creating practical opportunities for young Nigerians.
“Young Nigerians want opportunity, not handouts. Power Force gives them practical skills, recognised certification, and a direct pathway to meaningful work that supports national development,” he said.
Mrs. Verheijen emphasised the importance of metering in restoring confidence in the power sector.
“Metering restores trust. When customers pay only for what they use, revenues improve, investment follows, and service gets better. Power Force helps us scale that progress faster,” she said.
Applications for the first cohort will open on July 4, 2026, and will remain open for two weeks.
Interested applicants can access eligibility criteria and programme details via PMI official website or apply through NAPTIN application portal.
