Energy theft is among the dominant problems confronting the Nigerian electricity sector. Therefore, this study examined the factors underlying the perpetration of this illegal act among electricity consumers in Lagos and Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Rational choice perspective and situational crime prevention perspective were employed as theoretical guide. Data were generated using in-depth interview and key-informant interview methods. Snowball sampling was utilised for the selection of 59 electricity consumers engaging in energy theft, while nine officials of two electricity distribution companies were purposively chosen. Findings indicated that electricity tapping was the most common form of energy theft. Most of the electricity consumers engaging in energy theft considered it a rational response to the ineptitude and inefficiency of electricity distribution companies.

能源盗窃是尼日利亚电力部门面临的主要问题之一。因此，本研究调查了尼日利亚拉各斯和伊巴丹大都市的电力消费者实施这种非法行为的潜在因素。理性选择视角和情景犯罪预防视角作为理论指导。数据是使用深度访谈和关键知情人访谈方法生成的。雪球抽样选取了 59 名从事能源盗窃的电力消费者，同时有目的地选择了两家配电公司的 9 名官员。调查结果表明，窃电是最常见的能源盗窃形式。