The Senate has passed the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 through second reading, signaling renewed efforts to salvage Nigeria’s troubled power sector from imminent collapse.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), seeks to amend the 2023 Electricity Act by filling critical regulatory gaps and strengthening enforcement — with some lawmakers advocating capital punishment for infrastructure vandals.
During the debate, Senator Abaribe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Power, warned that the electricity industry is on the brink due to systemic inefficiencies and financial mismanagement. He revealed that the Federal Government currently owes over ₦4 trillion within the sector.
Abaribe pointed out that the existing law imposes weak penalties on offenders, lacks effective implementation, and remains vague on crucial issues such as labour rights, sector funding, and the roles of state governments following recent constitutional amendments.
He also condemned some electricity distribution companies for defaulting on payments for power supplied, describing their actions as further destabilizing the already fragile sector.
