Nigeria’s power sector is in crisis 120 years after electricity first arrived, with the national grid collapsing 105 times in the past decade. Officials and analysts blame entrenched corruption and chronic under‑investment for the persistent failures that leave homes, businesses and hospitals without reliable power.
A Century‑plus of electricity
Electricity was introduced to Nigeria over a century ago, yet the country—Africa’s most populous nation—still struggles to provide a stable supply. The sheer frequency of grid collapses—averaging more than ten per year in the last ten years—highlights the depth of the sector’s problems.
Root causes
Industry observers point to two main drivers of the breakdowns: pervasive corruption that siphons off resources meant for infrastructure, and weak investment that leaves aging plants and transmission lines unable to meet demand.
Impact on everyday life
Repeated blackouts disrupt commercial activity, hinder industrial growth and force households to rely on costly generators or alternative energy sources, further straining the economy and everyday life for Nigerians.
Calls for reform
Experts stress that urgent reforms—greater transparency, stronger regulatory oversight and renewed capital inflows—are essential to stabilise the grid and secure a reliable power supply for the country’s future development.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>