By Teniola Olayinka
For decades, Nigeria’s electricity supply has been unreliable at best and non-existent at worst. Millions of Nigerians live with constant power outages—sometimes going days without electricity or getting just a few hours of light. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a national emergency that holds back education, healthcare, business, and daily life.
Why is this happening?
It boils down to a few key problems. Much of our power infrastructure is old and poorly maintained. Power plants built 30 years ago are still in use, breaking down regularly. The cables and transformers delivering electricity are often weak and rarely replaced on time, leading to frequent failures.
Even though Nigeria has the potential to generate over 13,000 megawatts, we barely produce 4,000 to 5,000 on most days—nowhere near enough for our population of over 200 million. Compare this to South Africa, with fewer people but far more power generation.
A major reason for power plant shutdowns is unreliable gas supply. Gas pipelines are frequently vandalized in the Niger Delta, cutting off fuel to power stations and forcing shutdowns. Meanwhile, electricity companies struggle financially because many customers don’t pay their bills or steal power, leaving companies unable to maintain equipment or improve service.
On top of this, government policy inconsistency and weak regulation scare away investors, further stalling progress.
The impact is everywhere:
Businesses waste money running generators instead of growing. Students struggle to study without light at home. Hospitals can’t keep vaccines or run critical equipment. Rural communities are left in the dark, sometimes literally. Meanwhile, generator pollution harms health and noise disturbs neighborhoods. The high cost of power pushes up prices for everyday goods and services, hurting small businesses and families.
What can be done?
The solution is clear and urgent:
•Invest heavily in renewable energy like solar, wind, and small hydro plants to reduce dependence on gas and extend power to rural areas.
•Fix and upgrade our aging power infrastructure with regular maintenance.
•Protect gas pipelines with community involvement and modern technology to stop vandalism.
•Open the sector to more private investment with fair rules to attract money and expertise.
•Set electricity prices that cover costs but also protect poor households through subsidies.
•Teach Nigerians to save electricity and reduce waste.
•Enforce regulations strictly to stop theft and corruption.
•Support local manufacturing of power equipment to create jobs and lower costs.
•Develop and stick to a long-term, stable power plan that lasts beyond government changes.
Nigeria cannot afford to wait any longer. Electricity is the backbone of development—without it, education, healthcare, business, and quality of life suffer. With commitment and clear strategy, we can end this power crisis and bring light to every home and business in the country.
The question is: will our leaders act decisively before it’s too late?
