Electricity: Beyond the declaration of a state of emergency
At independence in 1960, Nigerians held high hopes that electricity would reach every village and flow around the clock.
Decades later, those hopes have been dashed repeatedly.
The crisis has become systemic—almost cancerous—with no immediate solution in sight. This dire situation recently led the Presidency to opt out of the national grid in favour of solar energy for the Presidential Villa. Simultaneously, the Governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, was seen joining members of the public to protest the epileptic nature of power supply in his state.
There is a profound irony here: the very officials constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of ensuring stable power are opting out of the grid and embracing private solar solutions, while the citizens are left to bear the brunt of darkness. It is both ridiculous and shameful that Nigeria cannot provide consistent power 66 years after independence.
Bungled unbundling
Many believed that unbundling the energy sector would restore life to the ailing industry. Instead, the situation has worsened. Our leaders’ recent actions suggest a loss of faith in the very systems they manage. Consequently, “self-help”—generating private power and even purchasing transformers and materials for the power companies to use—has become the national norm.
Since the 2013 unbundling, electricity distribution has been managed by 11 privatised Distribution Companies (DisCos). These companies purchase power from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to supply specific geographical zones, with the federal government retaining a 40% stake. Despite this, the sector is crippled by infrastructure deficits, high Aggregate Technical, Commercial, and Collection (ATC & C) losses, and a metering gap of approximately 40%.
The pain of inefficiency
The unreliability of these companies is staggering. Some feeders experience roughly 160 days of blackout per year. Adding insult to injury, company officials often harass citizens, forcing them to pay for electricity they never consumed. This “estimated billing” culture must end. Specifically, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), which operates in this region, must prioritise staff training. The conduct of their field personnel is often an embarrassment to both the company and the customers they serve.
A Call to action for Akwa Ibom
The power flow in Nigeria travels from Generation Companies (GenCos) to the TCN, and finally to the DisCos. While this was once strictly under the federal exclusive list, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed a piece of legislation empowering sub-national governments to generate, distribute, and transmit their own electricity. While states like Lagos, Enugu, and Abia are making visible strides toward energy independence, others remain tethered to an inconsistent national grid that collapses with alarming frequency. It is time for the Akwa Ibom State Government, led by Pastor Umo Eno, to move beyond rhetoric. The state must intentionally leverage the new legal framework to exit the national grid. Declaring a “state of emergency” on electricity is a waste of resources if it does not result in at least 12 to 18 hours of daily stable power. Currently, most areas, even in Uyo, the state capital go for days without electricity. Tragically, most times when it returns, it lasts mere minutes, leaving homes barely surviving the heat the region is now experiencing, businesses coughing, and offices struggling to work.
Conclusion: No more excuses
Government must prioritise results over declarations. As one of the first states to host an Independent Power Plant (IPP), a 12-hour minimum supply should be the floor, not the ceiling. With the gas turbines at the moribund Aluminum Smelter Company (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, our coastal potential for wind energy, and the presence of numerous oil and gas majors, Akwa Ibom has no excuse for darkness. Anything less than a move towards 24-hour electricity should be counted as a failure. This is not good for the image of the government, not good for businesses, not good for homes, and not good for individuals who depend heavily on energy as they are working or studying in such knowledge industries as schools. It is time to turn the lights on.
