ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Nigerian Independent System Operator has uncovered what it described as massive electricity theft on the Ikorodu-Sagamu transmission corridor in Lagos and Ogun states, revealing that about 180 megawatts of electricity is being lost through illegal activities involving large power consumers.
The Managing Director of NISO, Abdu Mohammed Bello, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos attended by generation companies, distribution companies, eligible customers, and major consumers connected to the Ikorodu-Sagamu 132kV double-circuit transmission lines.
According to Bello, investigations by the system operator exposed widespread meter bypass and electricity theft along the corridor, with some major customers under the Ikeja and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Companies allegedly implicated.
He described the losses recorded on the line as alarming, warning that the situation posed a serious threat to national grid stability and electricity market revenues.
“We discovered that the Ikorodu-Sagamu 132kV double-circuit line has a lot of very serious theft issues. The magnitude of the thefts is unimaginable. The theft along that line is close to 180MW. So you can imagine losing 180MW, which is almost equivalent to the daily allocation of Jos Electricity Distribution Company,” Bello said.
Following the discovery, Bello said NISO engaged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and received backing from the regulator to intensify efforts aimed at tackling the problem.
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“So we decided to carry out investigations, and based on our findings, we consulted the regulator of the power sector, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and we made a presentation to them. They saw the magnitude of it and now supported us that we should take further steps towards addressing this serious menace in the system,” he stated.
He noted that the Ikorodu-Sagamu corridor would serve as a test case for a nationwide crackdown on electricity theft across other transmission corridors.
“We have taken the Ikorodu-Sagamu line as a pilot project because it’s not only that corridor that is having that kind of challenge. Other corridors, too, will be dealt with as soon as we are able to deal with this. We have a standard model framework that we’re going to use to address these steps,” he added.
To address the challenge, Bello said NISO had introduced new compliance directives for generation companies, distribution companies, and eligible customers.
These include strict enforcement of minimum off-take requirements, proper meter classification, and immediate recalibration of metering instruments by the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
“We have designed a control measure we’re going to put in place to stop that leakage in that transmission corridor. This will support our operational management of the national grid and make more power available to Nigerians and more revenue available for the electricity market.
“The operators should ensure minimum off-take compliance for eligible customers and also metering classification in line with the provisions of the Eligible Customer Regulations, 2024, and also in line with the metering code.
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“For the eligible customers, NISO directed an immediate recalibration of the metering instrument, the current transformers, and the voltage transformers, which shall be done by the Transmission Company of Nigeria,” he stated.
The NISO boss further ordered the compulsory installation of check meters and dedicated current and voltage transformers at all interface points to strengthen monitoring and reduce leakages.
“That is a provision of the metering code, and in most instances, you will see that these check meters are not there. So it’s a mandatory directive we have given them to make sure that the relevant parties install the check meters at each and every interface point. It also directed full compliance with metering code requirements, especially in the area of meters and associated metering installation like CTs and VTs,” he said.
Bello warned that customers found engaging in electricity theft would face back-billing, financial penalties, suspension from the electricity market, or outright disconnection from the national grid.
“If we discover a theft by any customer, we will make sure that we reconstruct and back-bill for a period of time so that the customer will pay for the losses we incurred over that period of time. And then, we will also impose financial penalties on such erring customers.
For persistent offenders, we shall disconnect them from the grid or suspend them from the market, and they shall undergo further regulatory sanctions as determined by the regulators,” he said.
He added that NISO would establish a joint task force with the Transmission Company of Nigeria and security agencies to monitor the corridor and enforce compliance measures.
Bello, however, assured Nigerians that efforts were underway to improve power supply reliability through the deployment of modern technology, systems, and improved grid management processes.
“We’re improving in the sense that we are deploying technology, systems, and processes in place that will ensure lasting and enduring sustainable improvement going forward,” Bello stated.