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The Nigerian government has strengthened the fight against electricity vandalism with the newly amended Electricity Act 2023, revised in 2025. 

The updated legislation now prescribes life imprisonment for individuals who vandalize power infrastructure, especially where such actions pose threats to life, public order, or severely disrupt electricity supply.

The Act covers a broad scope of infrastructure including power plants, transmission lines, towers, substations, transformers, meters, and distribution networks. Both public and private sector assets vital to electricity supply are protected under this law.

According to the Act, “Any person who unlawfully or with intent to destroy, vandalize, damage, or render non-functional any electricity infrastructure or assets within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry commits an offence.”

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In cases of significant disruption or danger, the offender “shall be liable on conviction… to imprisonment for a term not less than ten years but not exceeding life imprisonment, without the option of a fine.”

For lesser cases involving economic loss or prolonged outages, offenders face jail terms between five to ten years, still without the option of a fine. In even less severe cases, a minimum three-year sentence or fines not less than ₦3 million, or both, may be imposed.

The Act also empowers courts to seize vehicles, tools, or equipment used in the act, and to compel vandals to pay compensation for damages caused.

These tougher sanctions reflect the federal government’s urgent efforts to combat power vandalism, which has been a major setback to electricity reliability and economic progress. The law aims to protect investments in the power sector and ensure consistent energy access to homes and businesses across the country.

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