Nigeria’s push to deliver seven million smart electricity meters received a major boost on Thursday with the official launch of POWER FORCE, a national training programme that will produce 5,000 certified meter installers across the country.

The programme, implemented under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, kicked off at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in Abuja, where the first batch of selected trainees were unveiled. Over 220,000 applications were received from young Nigerians nationwide.

Top dignitaries at the event included Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Youth Development Ayo Olawande, PMI Executive Secretary Olu Arowolo Verheijen, PMI Project Director Obafemi Solebo, and representatives of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

Following the Abuja launch, training will expand to centres across all six geopolitical zones. Graduates will receive NEMSA certification as qualified meter installers meeting national and international safety standards.