The Federal Government has raised the alarm over the growing impact of energy theft, meter tampering and other forms of electricity fraud, saying the country lost about N120 billion in one year from discrepancies recorded along the 132kV Ikorodu–Sagamu transmission corridor.
Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Power, disclosed this during an engagement with industrial customers in Sagamu, Ogun State, and warned that the government would take firm action against activities that undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s electricity market.
Tegbe said enhanced monitoring by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) since 2024 had uncovered significant anomalies in energy consumption and loading patterns along the Ikorodu–Sagamu corridor.
According to him, the discrepancies became increasingly difficult to reconcile in 2026, with losses on the corridor reaching as high as 100 megawatts and translating into an estimated N120 billion in lost revenue over one year.
The Ikorodu–Sagamu corridor is a major industrial cluster, hosting some of the country’s largest electricity consumers.
Tegbe said the Federal Government remained committed to providing industries along the corridor with a stable electricity supply to support production, investment and economic growth.
However, he stressed that improved power supply must be accompanied by responsible consumption, accurate metering and timely payment for electricity used.
“We must know where the power is going and what is compromising it,” the minister said, calling for transparent, scientific and fair investigations to establish the facts behind the discrepancies.
He warned electricity consumers and other stakeholders against meter tampering, deliberate interference with energy measurement systems, manipulation of consumption data and other forms of electricity theft.
The minister maintained that every electricity consumer must take responsibility for their consumption and comply with the rules governing the power market.
Tegbe’s warning comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to improve accountability, reduce losses and strengthen financial sustainability across the electricity value chain.
He said tackling energy theft was critical to ensuring that the benefits of increased power generation and improved transmission infrastructure were not undermined by illegal activities within the distribution and consumption chain.
The minister also emphasised the importance of collaboration among government agencies, power operators and industrial consumers in resolving the challenges confronting the sector.
He urged stakeholders to approach the ongoing process with openness and a willingness to establish the facts, stressing that the sustainability of Nigeria’s power sector depends on accountability from all participants.
The Federal Government’s position underscores the growing importance of reducing technical, commercial and collection losses as Nigeria seeks to create a more reliable electricity market capable of supporting industrialisation and attracting investment.
For industries operating along the Ikorodu–Sagamu corridor, the government’s commitment to stable electricity is expected to support production and reduce reliance on alternative sources of power, while stronger monitoring could help curb revenue losses that weaken the overall electricity market.
Tegbe reiterated that the government would not tolerate practices that compromise electricity measurement, deprive the market of legitimate revenue or undermine efforts to improve power supply across the country.
