The House of Representatives is intensifying efforts to tackle the persistent problem of electricity theft in Nigeria, with plans to introduce tougher penalties and stronger enforcement measures across the power sector.

Hamisu Ibrahim, Chairman of the Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, made this disclosure during an oversight visit to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). According to him, the National Assembly is fast-tracking a bill aimed at curbing energy theft, protecting electricity infrastructure, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

“Energy theft is a serious barrier to efficient power delivery in the country. Our goal is to establish a legal framework that decisively addresses this issue while safeguarding investments in the sector,” Ibrahim said.

The committee also pledged to support electricity distribution companies in recovering significant unpaid debts owed by federal and state government agencies, which have hindered liquidity and infrastructure development. “We will work closely with the DisCos to ensure these debts are settled, strengthening the financial stability of the sector,” Ibrahim added.

IBEDC’s Managing Director, Francis Agoha, welcomed the lawmakers’ intervention, highlighting that energy theft and unpaid government debts have limited the company’s ability to expand and reinforce its network. Agoha said IBEDC has made substantial investments since its 2013 privatisation, improving metering, network expansion, and customer service, but operational challenges remain.

During the visit, the committee also reviewed IBEDC’s infrastructure and compliance with regulatory standards, assessing the company’s overall performance and identifying areas that require legislative or operational support.

Members of the committee present at the oversight included representatives from Lagos, Kaduna, and Osun, as well as officials from the Bureau of Public Enterprises.