The Federal Government has ordered an investigation into an estimated 100 megawatts (MW) of unaccounted electricity on the 132kV Ikorodu-Sagamu transmission corridor, amid a projected N120 billion annual revenue loss to the electricity market.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, gave the directive during a meeting with industrial operators and electricity market stakeholders along the corridor.
The discrepancy was detected through technology-driven monitoring systems deployed by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), which identified unusual loading patterns and inconsistencies in electricity flows along the corridor dating back to 2024.
Tegbe directed stakeholders to carry out a transparent and science-based investigation to determine the exact volume of electricity unaccounted for and identify the factors responsible for the gap.
He stressed that improved electricity supply must be accompanied by accurate metering, responsible consumption and payment for electricity consumed, as the Federal Government seeks to strengthen financial discipline across the electricity value chain.
The minister warned against practices that could undermine the electricity market, including meter tampering, illegal connections, manipulation of consumption data, deliberate interference with energy measurement and infrastructure, as well as other forms of electricity theft.
He said the government would take appropriate action if the investigation establishes that the discrepancies were caused by theft or other forms of commercial leakage.
The investigation will draw on technical and commercial data from both the transmission and distribution segments to determine where the unaccounted electricity is being lost.
Tegbe also assured industrial operators along the corridor of sustained electricity supply, while emphasising that reliable power delivery must be matched by proper metering, responsible energy use and timely payment for electricity consumed.
