The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced strict penalties for individuals caught engaging in illegal electricity connections or tampering with meters, warning that offenders will face fines starting from N100,000.
This was revealed in an amended order on unauthorised access, meter tampering, and bypass, which was released on Tuesday. According to NERC, the fines will vary depending on the category of the customer, with penalties ranging between N100,000 and N300,000.
The updated regulation, officially known as the Amended Order on Unauthorised Access, Meter Tampering, and Bypass, replaces Order No: NERC/REG/41/2017 and has been in effect since January 22, 2025.
The commission stated that the amendment aligns with the Electricity Act 2023 and the Customer Protection Regulations 2023, which empower electricity distribution companies to disconnect unauthorised connections without prior notice and establish clear reconnection conditions.
NERC explained that the new order aims to curb illegal electricity access, meter tampering, and bypass, while also providing a transparent reconnection process to ensure compliance.
The regulation states:
“Customers who bypass meters or gain unauthorised access must pay administrative charges, including the cost of meter replacement, before being reconnected.”
This means that any individual caught tampering with meters or making illegal connections will only have their electricity restored after settling the prescribed fines and covering any necessary equipment costs. With this new policy, NERC is reinforcing its commitment to tackling power theft and ensuring a more accountable electricity distribution system across Nigeria.
