By Oxford Reporters
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has called for closer collaboration between the Ministry and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle vandalism, energy theft and other financial crimes affecting Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Tegbe made the call on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in Abuja when he led officials of the Ministry on a courtesy visit to the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s headquarters.
The Minister said the activities of vandals and energy thieves were imposing significant financial losses on the power sector, with billions of naira reportedly lost annually.
According to him, the Ministry does not have the statutory authority to prosecute offenders directly, making the support of law-enforcement agencies such as the EFCC important in addressing the problem.
He identified vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure and non-payment of electricity bills by some consumers as two areas requiring urgent intervention.
“There are two areas where we need your intervention. One area is vandalism. There is a lot of vandalism going on in this country,” Tegbe said.
He explained that the theft of items such as manhole covers and other components, as well as damage to power transmission towers, continued to undermine the sector.
The Minister said the Federal Government had directed relevant authorities to create greater awareness and pursue those involved in the theft and purchase of vandalised infrastructure, but noted that the Ministry depended on competent law-enforcement bodies for arrests and prosecution.
“We believe the Commission can help us in that area. We need to collaborate,” he said.
On energy theft, Tegbe said some companies and other electricity consumers were allegedly failing to pay for power supplied to them, thereby contributing to substantial revenue losses.
“The second area is energy theft. Companies that have access to power do not pay electricity bills. We are losing billions annually. We need your intervention,” he added.
Tegbe also commended Olukoyede for what he described as achievements in investigating and prosecuting economic and financial crimes, as well as recovering proceeds of crime.
He expressed confidence that a stronger partnership between the Ministry and the EFCC would help address criminal activities affecting the electricity value chain and support efforts to improve power supply.
The Minister further appreciated the Commission for its intervention in the legal dispute that had delayed the 215-megawatt Kudendan Power Plant project in Kaduna State.
Responding, Olukoyede described vandalism and energy theft as revenue-related fraud and major concerns capable of undermining the economy.
He assured the Minister that the EFCC was prepared to collaborate with the Ministry in addressing the challenges.
Olukoyede specifically proposed the introduction of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control mechanisms across power projects, including abandoned projects and new ones.
“We are ready to work with you particularly in the area of incorporating Fraud Risk Assessment and Control to all your projects; both the abandoned ones and the new ones coming up,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman added that the Commission would constitute a team to analyse and audit selected projects as part of efforts to strengthen accountability.
He also assured the Ministry of the Commission’s support in monitoring ongoing projects, stressing the need for preventive measures rather than waiting until funds had been misappropriated.
“We must not wait till monies are stolen particularly on sensitive projects. It is not going to be business as usual,” Olukoyede said.
