By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a new jobs programme that will train 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians, as part of efforts to end estimated billing and close Nigeria’s metering gap.
The initiative, called ‘The Power Force’, falls under the Presidential Metering Initiative set up to protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market.
“This programme is about jobs, skills, and dignity,” Tinubu said in a statement Wednesday.
“It will equip young Nigerians with practical technical skills and connect them to real work in a sector that touches every home, every business, and every community in our country.”
The opportunity is open to Nigerians who have completed secondary school, with a dedicated quota reserved for National Youth Service Corps members.
Training will be handled in partnership with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, NAPTIN, and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
Tinubu linked the programme directly to improving power supply. “When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use,” he said.
He added that better revenue collection would help electricity distribution companies “reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections, and invest in better service,” building a power sector that is “fairer to consumers, stronger for investors, and better able to deliver reliable electricity.”
The President directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with NAPTIN, the Youth Ministry, and other stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
“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 said.
