The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced that electricity users who bypass their meters or connect illegally will face fines starting at N100,000. The penalty can go up to N300,000, depending on the type of customer.
For maximum demand customers, the fines are even stricter. If caught stealing electricity, they must pay between 450% and 600% of their last recorded energy use.
These new rules took effect on January 22, 2025, under the Amended Order on Unauthorised Access, Meter Tampering, and By-pass.
The NERC says these measures align with the Electricity Act 2023 and Customer Protection Regulations 2023.
The goal is to stop electricity theft, set clear reconnection rules, and ensure fair usage. Under the new policy, distribution companies can disconnect unauthorized connections without notice.
Any customer caught tampering with a meter or bypassing it must pay administrative fees, including the cost of replacing the meter, before reconnection. The fines include:
- Single-phase residential users – N100,000 for the first offense and N150,000 for repeated offenses.
- Three-phase residential users – N200,000 for the first offense and N300,000 for repeated offenses.
- Maximum demand customers – 450% of their last recorded energy use for the first offense and 600% for repeated offenses.
Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have raised concerns about the growing problem of electricity theft. The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has warned that offenders will now face legal action instead of just financial penalties.
Kingsley Okotie, the company’s Head of Corporate Communication, said that electricity theft has increased since the revised tariff on Band A feeders took effect. He emphasized that stopping power theft is crucial for improving Nigeria’s electricity supply.
Similarly, Babatunde Lasaki, spokesperson for Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), stated that energy theft—such as meter bypass, illegal connections, and tampering with infrastructure—causes huge revenue losses. This loss makes it harder for DisCos to upgrade networks and provide better services.
The Acting CEO of EKEDC, Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, urged customers to support the fight against energy theft. She stressed that the power sector loses billions every year due to these illegal activities, which slows down investments in infrastructure and stable power supply.
With these new penalties, NERC hopes to reduce illegal electricity usage and improve service quality across Nigeria.
