Power Theft Costs Nigeria 180MW As NISO Targets DisCos, Large Consumers
NISO Flags Widespread Power Theft
THE Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has revealed that Nigeria’s national grid is losing approximately 180 megawatts (MW) of electricity to large-scale power theft, raising fresh concerns about inefficiencies in the country’s electricity sector.
The disclosure was made by NISO Managing Director, Abdu Mohammed Bello, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos involving distribution companies, generation companies, and major electricity consumers.
According to Bello, the losses were traced to widespread illegal consumption and meter manipulation, particularly along the Ikorodu-Sagamu 132kV transmission corridor.
Ikorodu–Sagamu Corridor Under Scrutiny
The affected transmission line, which spans parts of Lagos and Ogun states, has emerged as a hotspot for electricity theft, with investigations uncovering irregularities among large power users.
Some of the implicated customers are connected to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, two major distribution companies serving the region.
Bello described the scale of losses as alarming, noting that it poses a significant threat not only to grid stability but also to revenue generation within Nigeria’s electricity market.
Regulatory Backing for Crackdown
The NISO boss disclosed that the findings prompted engagement with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which has endorsed efforts to address the issue.
He said the Ikorodu-Sagamu corridor is now being used as a pilot project for a nationwide crackdown on electricity theft and system losses.
Industry observers say such coordinated interventions are critical in tackling persistent challenges in Nigeria’s power value chain, particularly non-technical losses.
New Directives Issued to Sector Players
To curb the losses, NISO has introduced a set of measures targeting generation companies (GenCos), distribution companies (DisCos), and eligible customers.
These include strict compliance with minimum electricity off-take requirements, adherence to metering classifications, and mandatory recalibration of meters by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Experts note that effective enforcement of these measures could significantly reduce revenue leakages and improve overall efficiency in electricity distribution.
Implications for Power Supply
The loss of 180MW—enough to power thousands of homes and businesses—highlights the broader structural challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Analysts warn that unless electricity theft is decisively addressed, it could continue to undermine investments, reduce available power supply, and weaken confidence in the sector.
