Nigeria's Power Sector Loses 40-55% to Theft, Experts Say
Nigeria's electricity distribution companies lose 40-55% of generated power to theft and non-payment, according to Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). For every 100 kWh produced, fewer than 60 kWh are paid for. Energy theft expert Canice Emeka details four theft types: meter bypass, collusion with staff, infrastructure vandalism, and fraudulent load declarations. Effective solutions include smart meters with remote disconnect, GIS mapping for targeted raids, community engagement programs, and prosecuting large-scale offenders. Emeka argues theft is systemic, not moral failure, and reducing losses to 20% could unlock ₦1-1.5 trillion annually for new infrastructure.