The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has raised serious concerns over large-scale electricity theft along the Ikorodu-Sagamu transmission corridor, revealing that nearly 180 megawatts of power is being lost through illegal activities and meter manipulation.
The affected transmission route, the Ikorodu-Sagamu 132kV double-circuit line, stretches across parts of Lagos and Ogun State, serving a number of major industrial and commercial customers.
Speaking during a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, NISO Managing Director Abdu Mohammed Bello disclosed that investigations uncovered widespread electricity theft involving several large customers connected through both Ikeja Electric and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
According to Bello, the scale of the losses discovered on the transmission corridor is deeply alarming and poses a major risk to both national grid stability and electricity market revenues.
He explained that approximately 180 megawatts of electricity is being lost through theft on the line, describing the figure as staggering considering it is almost equivalent to the daily power allocation received by a distribution company like the Jos Electricity Distribution Company.
The NISO boss said the discovery prompted immediate consultations with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which has now endorsed efforts to tackle the issue more aggressively. Following presentations made to the regulator, Bello said NERC acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and supported NISO’s decision to intensify enforcement measures.
As part of a broader anti-theft strategy, NISO has designated the Ikorodu-Sagamu corridor as a pilot project for what is expected to become a nationwide crackdown on electricity theft. Bello noted that similar irregularities are suspected on other transmission corridors across the national grid, and the lessons from the current intervention will help shape future enforcement actions.
To address the problem, NISO has introduced a series of fresh compliance directives affecting power generation companies, distribution companies, eligible customers, and large industrial consumers. The directives include stricter adherence to minimum off-take obligations, proper meter classification protocols, and the mandatory recalibration of metering systems by the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
In addition, NISO has ordered the compulsory installation of check meters as well as dedicated current and voltage transformers at all critical interface points to improve monitoring and reduce manipulation. Bello warned that any customer found violating market rules or engaging in electricity theft will face severe consequences.
Potential penalties include energy reconstruction, back-billing, financial sanctions, and possible disconnection from the national grid.
The revelation highlights one of the major challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector, where energy theft, infrastructure weaknesses, and revenue leakages continue to undermine electricity supply and operational efficiency.
With the latest enforcement measures now underway, industry stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the intervention can significantly reduce losses and improve accountability across the electricity value chain.
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