The Federal Government has ordered a formal investigation into energy theft along the 132kV Ikorodu–Sagamu industrial corridor in Lagos, where power losses are estimated at roughly N120 billion every year. Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe disclosed at a high-level stakeholder meeting in Lagos that unaccounted electricity losses along the corridor amount to about 100 megawatts annually.
FG Directs Science-Based Probe Into Power Losses
Tegbe directed that a transparent, science-based probe be carried out to determine why the volume of power transmitted along the corridor far exceeds what distribution companies bill and account for. The investigation aims to uncover the root causes of the discrepancies, which have raised concerns about the financial stability of the national grid.
The Ikorodu–Sagamu corridor has grown into one of Nigeria's busiest industrial manufacturing belts, attracting heavy energy consumers. Technological monitoring tools deployed by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) flagged serious loading irregularities and commercial losses across the network, drawing government attention to the scale of the problem.
Government Warns Against Meter Tampering and Data Manipulation
Tegbe said the government will no longer accept meter tampering, deliberate manipulation of data, or interference with power infrastructure. Every consumer, he added, must be held accountable for the actual electricity used. The minister reaffirmed the administration's commitment to industrial growth under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and pledged a sustained power supply to manufacturers, but he was clear that uninterrupted electricity must come with strict accountability and accurate billing on the other side, according to a report by The Nation.
The stakeholder engagement brought together senior officials from across the energy sector, including the Managing Director and Executive Directors of NISO, representatives of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and the chief executives of both Ikeja Electric and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, as well as representatives from industries operating along the corridor.
Stakeholders Directed to Cooperate With Investigators
All parties were directed to cooperate fully with technical investigators and help close the revenue gaps that, according to the government, threaten the financial stability of the national grid, ThisDay reported. The investigation is expected to provide a clear picture of the losses and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
In a related development, Legit.ng earlier reported that Ghana is positioning itself to become a major electricity supplier across West Africa, with Nigeria emerging as its next potential export market. Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, said the country is willing to begin supplying electricity to Nigeria as part of a broader strategy to strengthen regional energy cooperation and establish Ghana as an energy hub. Ghana already has cross-border electricity arrangements with Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso through the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo). The country’s transmission network is physically interconnected with these neighbouring countries, allowing electricity to flow across borders.
