FG launches probe into N120bn power theft on Ikorodu-Sagamu corridor

During a stakeholder meeting held in Lagos, Nigeria's Power Minister Joseph Tegbe announced a formal inquiry into substantial electricity losses along the 132-kilovolt Ikorodu–Sagamu transmission corridor. The investigation will address roughly 100 megawatts of power that remain unaccounted for each year, equating to approximately N120 billion in annual revenue losses affecting Nigeria's electricity market.

At the high-level gathering attended by industrial operators, electricity market participants, and energy regulators, Tegbe directed all stakeholders to pursue a transparent, data-driven inquiry. The investigation's scope includes examining why electricity transmitted through the corridor diverges from amounts ultimately billed to consumers, with attention to whether technical malfunctions, billing inaccuracies, or unlawful power theft accounts for the shortfall.

This corridor's significance lies in its service to a substantial cluster of manufacturing and industrial operations throughout Lagos State, a vital component within Nigeria's power distribution infrastructure. At 100 megawatts, the unaccounted electricity volume theoretically possesses capacity to serve hundreds of thousands of households.

The Federal Government views this investigation as crucial to broader objectives of enhancing accountability across the electricity supply chain and recovering foregone revenue. The Nigerian Independent System Operator convened the stakeholder meeting where Tegbe communicated his directive.

In remarks stressing the necessity of ascertaining facts via science-based and fair means, the Minister referenced unaccounted electricity over the relevant timeframe. However, announcements omitted specifics regarding investigation completion dates or detail regarding potential penalties and enforcement actions.