The House of Representatives has declared a decisive move to address the chronic failures plaguing Nigeria's electricity sector, initiating a comprehensive probe into all government investments made over the past 17 years.
Comprehensive Investigation into Power Sector Reforms
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, stated that the parliament is determined to correct nearly two decades of failures in the nation's power industry. The announcement was made on 21 November 2025 during the formal commencement of an investigative hearing into the sector.
Represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Mike Etaba, the Speaker lamented the sector's persistent challenges that have hindered growth, efficiency, and national development.
Electricity is the lifeblood of modern civilisation, Tajudeen emphasized. No nation attains sustainable progress without a reliable power supply. From our factories to our schools, hospitals to our homes, electricity determines productivity, quality of life and the strength of our economy.
Constitutional Mandate and Global Alignment
The Speaker clarified that the ad-hoc committee was established under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Order 20, Rule 7 of the House Standing Orders. These provisions empower the National Assembly to investigate the conduct of government ministries, departments, and agencies.
He urged committee members to conduct their assignment with diligence, transparency and courage, ensuring the outcome aligns with global sustainable energy goals, particularly Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which focuses on access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy.
Legislative Action Against Energy Theft
In a related development, the House Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation has reinforced its commitment to tackling the growing menace of energy theft across Nigeria's power sector.
During an oversight visit to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC) on Wednesday, Committee Chairman Hamisu Ibrahim disclosed that the National Assembly is intensifying efforts on a bill designed to combat energy theft through:
- Stricter penalties for offenders
- Enhanced enforcement mechanisms
- Improved protection of electricity assets
Energy theft has become a major obstacle to efficient electricity distribution in Nigeria, the Chairman stated. We are working on a robust legal framework that will decisively address this menace and safeguard infrastructure investments.
Furthermore, the committee pledged support to help electricity distribution companies (DisCos) recover huge outstanding debts owed by federal and state ministries, departments, agencies, and local governments, aiming to strengthen liquidity across the power sector.
