The Federal Government has warned that stricter sanctions will be imposed on individuals and businesses involved in energy theft after illegal electricity activities along the Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor led to estimated losses of about N120 billion within one year.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, issued the warning during a meeting with industrial electricity consumers operating along the 132kV corridor, one of Nigeria’s major industrial power hubs. The engagement was organised following growing concerns over large differences between the amount of electricity supplied to the area and the volume officially recorded by market participants.
According to the government, advanced monitoring systems deployed by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) have revealed major irregularities in electricity consumption and billing patterns since 2024. By 2026, these discrepancies had become more serious, with unaccounted electricity losses reaching as high as 100 megawatts, translating to an estimated financial loss of N120 billion annually.
Tegbe assured manufacturers and businesses in the corridor that the government remains committed to providing stable electricity to support industrial growth and investment. However, he stressed that reliable power supply must be matched with accurate metering, transparent energy use and prompt payment for electricity consumed.
He said the government would no longer tolerate practices such as meter tampering, illegal connections, manipulation of energy data or any activity that weakens the integrity of Nigeria’s electricity market.
“We must know where the power is going and identify what is causing these losses,” the minister said, adding that investigations would be transparent, scientific and fair.
He noted that every consumer connected to the national grid has a responsibility to ensure proper accountability, warning that businesses found guilty of energy theft could face penalties once investigations are completed.
The minister’s remarks come as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to improve transparency, revenue collection and financial discipline across Nigeria’s power sector. Authorities believe reducing losses and ensuring accurate billing are essential for attracting investments and improving electricity supply nationwide.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, said the issue extends beyond ordinary technical faults and raises concerns about electricity market discipline, power system security and accurate energy measurement.
He explained that the Ikorodu–Sagamu corridor has become one of Nigeria’s largest industrial electricity clusters due to network upgrades and new connections over recent years. This growth, he said, makes precise measurement of electricity flows more important than ever.
“We must ensure that every megawatt of electricity entering and leaving the corridor is properly measured and accounted for,” Mohammed stated.
He clarified that NISO is not accusing any company at this stage but is focused on establishing facts through technical evidence and due process.
The ongoing investigation includes physical inspections of industrial substations, verification of metering systems and detailed checks of electricity measurement infrastructure. Some companies have already received official notices following preliminary findings that require explanations or corrective actions.
To strengthen its investigations, NISO has expanded its monitoring technology to include additional indicators such as power factor, active and reactive power measurements, as well as harmonic analysis. These tools are expected to help determine whether the discrepancies result from technical issues, operational challenges or deliberate manipulation.
Mohammed called on all stakeholders to cooperate fully by granting investigators access to facilities, meters and operational records. He also warned against attempts to alter electrical configurations or manipulate equipment during the investigation.
According to him, compliant consumers should not suffer because of the actions of those undermining the electricity market.
NISO said it would continue to carry out the investigation professionally and objectively, using technical and forensic methods to establish the facts. The operator expressed confidence that the process would strengthen market discipline, improve grid security and restore confidence in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Officials from the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Ikeja Electric, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and several industrial firms operating in the corridor attended the meeting. The government has not announced when the investigation will be concluded, but authorities insist that enforcement actions will follow once the findings are complete.
