NCDMB, FAB Development empower 50 Kaduna youths with skills in meter repairs, switchgear

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with FAB Development Company Nigeria Limited, has empowered 50 youths in Kaduna State with technical skills in electricity meter repairs and electrical distribution switchgear.

The five-day training and empowerment programme, held from August 10 to August 14, 2026, was designed to strengthen local technical capacity, promote Nigerian content participation in the power sector and equip young Nigerians with practical skills capable of creating employment and income-generating opportunities.

The initiative brought together 50 beneficiaries drawn from different parts of Kaduna State, who were trained in the practical aspects of electricity metering and electrical distribution systems.

Throughout the programme, participants received hands-on training in fault diagnosis, repair and calibration of electricity meters.

They were also exposed to the installation, maintenance and servicing of electrical distribution switchgear, with particular emphasis on safety procedures and industry standards.

The organisers said the training was structured to provide participants with relevant technical knowledge that could enable them to respond to the growing need for competent technicians in Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector.
Certified engineers and experienced industry facilitators handled the training sessions, combining theoretical instruction with practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises.

Participants were taught how to identify common faults in electricity meters, carry out appropriate repairs and understand the principles behind meter calibration. They were also trained on the safe installation and maintenance of switchgear used in electrical distribution systems.

Safety remained a major component of the programme, with facilitators stressing the importance of adhering to established electrical safety standards and industry best practices.

The training also incorporated entrepreneurship and business development components to encourage beneficiaries to translate their newly acquired technical skills into sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking on the initiative, FAB Development Company Nigeria Limited commended the beneficiaries for their commitment, discipline and active participation throughout the five-day programme.

The company urged the participants to take full advantage of the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the training by establishing businesses, seeking employment opportunities and providing technical services within their communities.

The implementing partner also encouraged the beneficiaries to continue improving their skills and remain committed to professional standards, particularly in an industry where technical competence and safety are critical.

At the conclusion of the programme, the 50 beneficiaries were presented with starter packs designed to help them begin applying their skills in the field.
They also received certificates of completion as evidence of their successful participation in the training.

The organisers said the combination of technical training, certification and starter packs was intended to give the beneficiaries a practical foundation for entering the electricity services market and becoming economically productive.

Stakeholders at the programme described the intervention as timely, noting the increasing demand for qualified technicians capable of handling electricity meters and distribution equipment as Nigeria continues to improve its power infrastructure.

According to them, strengthening the technical workforce is essential to improving the quality, reliability and efficiency of electricity distribution across the country.

They noted that trained technicians would play an important role in supporting electricity distribution companies, private contractors, businesses and households that require professional metering and electrical maintenance services.

The programme also reflects the broader importance of developing indigenous technical expertise in Nigeria’s power sector, particularly through initiatives that equip young people with practical skills rather than relying exclusively on imported expertise.

For the beneficiaries, the training is expected to provide a pathway towards self-employment, job creation and increased participation in the electricity value chain.

With the starter packs provided at the end of the programme, participants are expected to begin using their newly acquired skills while building experience and developing their businesses.

The collaboration between NCDMB and FAB Development Company Nigeria Limited, therefore, represents an effort to combine technical training with practical empowerment, while supporting the development of a skilled workforce capable of contributing to Nigeria’s power sector.

The beneficiaries are expected to deploy the skills acquired during the training to provide quality services in their communities, create additional employment opportunities and contribute to improved electricity metering and distribution services in Kaduna State and beyond.

The organisers expressed confidence that the empowerment programme would have a lasting impact on the beneficiaries and contribute to the development of a stronger pool of indigenous technical professionals in Nigeria’s electricity sector.