Power Mystery: FG probes missing 100MW, N120bn revenue loss

The Federal Government has ordered an investigation into suspected power losses along the 132kV Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor in Lagos and Ogun states.

The government said up to 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity could be going unaccounted for along the corridor, with the losses estimated to have cost the Nigerian electricity market about N120 billion in one year.

Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, gave the directive on Friday during a meeting with industrial operators, electricity market participants and regulators.

Tegbe called for a transparent and data-based investigation into the difference between the amount of electricity transmitted through the corridor and the amount eventually billed and accounted for by electricity distribution companies.

He said the government needed to understand what was responsible for the huge gap.

“We must know where the power is going and what is compromising it,” the minister said.

“Every consumer must be responsible for its actions and consumption,” he added.

According to Tegbe, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has introduced technological monitoring systems to track electricity movement across the network.

The monitoring system, he said, had detected unusual loading patterns and major differences in the amount of electricity supplied and the amount eventually accounted for.

The government will investigate whether the losses are caused by meter tampering, manipulation of electricity consumption records, illegal connections, interference with power infrastructure or other forms of electricity theft.

Tegbe warned that the government would not allow activities that weaken the electricity market.

He stressed that electricity consumers must be held responsible for the amount of power they use.

The investigation will involve technical and commercial data from both the transmission and distribution sides of the electricity market. The aim is to identify where the unaccounted electricity is being lost.

The Ikorodu–Sagamu corridor has become an important industrial area, with several manufacturing companies and other large electricity consumers operating along the route.

The government said improving electricity supply to industrial areas would require stronger accountability, accurate metering and proper payment for electricity consumed.

Electricity theft remains a major challenge in Nigeria’s power sector. Several initiatives have been introduced to encourage members of the public to report illegal connections and other forms of energy theft.

Ikeja Electric, for instance, introduced incentive schemes in 2021 to reward whistleblowers whose information led to the discovery of electricity theft within its network.

Industry stakeholders have also warned about the financial impact of electricity losses.

Nosa Igbinedion, Chief Executive Officer of West Power and Gas, previously said the Nigeria Electricity Act allows states to establish laws and regulations governing electricity operations within their territories.

He also said Nigeria records average Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses of about 45 per cent, resulting in annual losses estimated at more than N100 billion.

If the investigation confirms that a significant part of the N120 billion loss is linked to electricity theft or other commercial leakages, it could have serious consequences for the financial stability of the electricity market.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) introduced new penalties in 2025 for individuals and businesses found guilty of bypassing electricity meters.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of NISO and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), as well as representatives of Ikeja Electric, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and industries operating along the Ikorodu–Sagamu corridor.