THE Nigerian Senate has passed the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 through its second reading, marking a significant step toward addressing the country’s struggling power sector.

The amendment, sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), aims to revise the 2023 Electricity Act by closing key regulatory loopholes and improving enforcement mechanisms.

The bill also proposes harsher penalties for electricity infrastructure vandalism, including the possibility of capital punishment for offenders.

Leading the debate, Senator Abaribe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Power, warned that the nation’s power sector is at risk of total collapse due to inefficiencies, regulatory ambiguities, and financial mismanagement.

He revealed that the Federal Government’s debt in the power sector has exceeded ₦4 trillion.

“The current law lacks clarity on regulatory responsibilities, especially in light of recent constitutional reforms that empower state governments in the electricity space,” Abaribe said.

He also emphasized the need to criminalize sabotage and ensure essential services like electricity are not disrupted by strikes or vandalism.

Senator Adamu Aliero supported the amendment, expressing concern that despite the privatization of the sector, the government continues to bear heavy financial responsibilities.

He called for stricter sanctions against vandals, stating, “We’ve privatized power, yet the government keeps spending trillions on behalf of private firms. Sabotage of national assets should be met with the harshest punishment.”

Key provisions in the amendment include:

Criminalizing electricity infrastructure vandalism

Clarifying the transfer of regulatory authority from NERC to state governments

Enhancing the implementation of the Electricity Consumer Assistance Fund

Strengthening penalties and institutional oversight

The bill has been forwarded to the Senate Committee on Power, which is expected to submit its report within six weeks.

Lawmakers hope the reforms will help stabilize and revive Nigeria’s ailing electricity industry.