Federal Govt Flags Off 5,000‑trainee Drive To Close Metering Gap

The federal government, on Wednesday flagged off the Power Force Programme — a national training drive to close Nigeria’s metering gap — as part of the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI)

Delivering the keynote at the ceremony, minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, described the programme as “a landmark initiative that embodies our collective determination to transform Nigeria’s electricity sector by investing both in infrastructure and people.”

The event was attended by the Kwara State governor and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande; SA to the President on Energy and Executive Secretary of the PMI, Olu Verheijen; and other federal and sectoral officials.

Tegbe said inadequate metering has been a major contributor to the power sector’s “persistent liquidity deficit,” noting that “where electricity consumed cannot be accurately measured, revenue cannot be accurately collected.”

He argued that lack of meters has constrained investment, led to infrastructure decline and reduced service for consumers.

He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritised reforms to restore financial sustainability across the electricity market while ensuring “fairness, transparency and accountability.”

“Every Nigerian deserves to pay only for the actual electricity consumed, and every service provider deserves to be paid for the electricity genuinely supplied,” Tegbe said, adding that smart metering makes that possible.

Tegbe highlighted the recent withdrawal of a court action by the Association of Meter Asset Providers of Nigeria (AMMON) as an important industry milestone, saying the decision “has removed a significant obstacle to the accelerated deployment of electricity meters across the country.” He commended AMMON and regulatory and implementing bodies, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Bureau of Public Enterprises, for constructive engagement.

Central to the flag-off is skills development. Tegbe said the Power Force Programme will train 5,000 young Nigerians to install meters “efficiently, professionally and at scale,” calling the cohort “pioneers of a new generation of highly skilled professionals.” He stressed that meters require trained technicians: “Meters do not install themselves. Behind every successful metering programme must stand thousands of competent, certified and dedicated technicians.”

Tegbe framed the programme as both a sectoral reform and an economic intervention, saying it will create employment, support local content development and equip youth with “future-ready technical skills.” He urged trainees to approach the opportunity “with discipline, professionalism and pride,” and pledged the federal government’s continued commitment to closing the metering gap.

The minister said ongoing reforms, improved market discipline, settlement initiatives and targeted financial interventions are being pursued to address legacy challenges and attract private investment to the power sector. He concluded by assuring Nigerians that the administration is working to build “an electricity sector that is more transparent, more accountable, more sustainable and more responsive to the needs of every citizen.”