By Halima Imam
As I balanced my body on the chair to watch the news and see what America decides on the afternoon of the 5th of November, NEPA just carry light. “NEPA!” I screamed, giving out a loud hiss. Before I could even start my usual ritual of grumbling and proffering sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s electricity problem, my sister, always one step ahead, picked up her phone and turned on the radio. And just as if fate was mocking us, the newscaster’s voice blared, “The National Grid collapsed this afternoon.” I hissed again. “What in the every-three-Eke-market-day-collapsing nonsense is this?” I thought, picturing our grid like a K-Drama character who just can’t resist falling down at the most dramatic moments.
Let’s step back and look at the bigger, not-so-dramatic picture here. Nigeria’s electricity generation presently hovers around 4,000-5,000 megawatts. In an ideal world, where every home, office, and factory in Nigeria has uninterrupted power, we would require at least 25,000 megawatts to meet basic demands. This 20,000 MW gap is why you and I are constantly familiar with darkness, often forced to rely on generators, inverters, and good neighbors, friends and office buddies with charged power banks.
So why the consistent collapses? Several issues contribute to this recurring drama. The major challenges stem from outdated infrastructure, limited power generation, and inefficient distribution. The grid is simply overwhelmed, unable to bear the load that a growing population and economy place on it. And while fingers are often pointed at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), for residents of Abuja and similar companies across the country, they are merely part of a system where the root problems run deep.
Nigeria has vast untapped resources for energy. By diversifying our generation sources beyond hydro and gas, which are the primary contributors to our grid, we can create a more robust, resilient system. Solar, wind, and bioenergy are examples of renewable resources that could sustainably supplement power generation. Imagine each region of Nigeria maximizing its natural resources: solar power in the North, hydro in the North Central, and wind along the coasts. Such diversification would prevent overloading any single energy source, reducing the likelihood of grid collapses.
Rather than a single national grid, Nigeria could benefit immensely from creating multiple mini-grids and even micro-grids tailored to specific regions. Decentralization means that, even if one area experiences a collapse, others continue functioning, reducing the extent of blackouts. Mini-grids also allow private and local stakeholders, including state governments and private investors, to participate in electricity distribution, creating a competitive market that can drive efficiency and reliability.
Our aging infrastructure needs urgent and consistent investment. Power lines, transformers, and other equipment must be upgraded and maintained regularly to handle higher loads. The lack of routine maintenance is a primary reason for frequent collapses. Regular checks and timely replacements would keep equipment in peak condition, minimizing breakdowns. A portion of our annual budget could be dedicated solely to infrastructure improvement, targeting specific weak spots in our grid.
Modern technology offers tools like smart grids that allow real-time monitoring and load balancing. Implementing smart meters and digital systems can help monitor power usage and identify areas where consumption spikes, adjusting supply accordingly. Through data analytics, energy providers can make better-informed decisions, identifying inefficiencies and predicting peak usage times.
In a twist of irony, later in the night, AEDC decided to restore light, just in time for me to catch the final updates on the U.S. elections. Turns out, Americans chose red over blue. Na them sabi. At least they have steady electricity to debate their politics through the night. But as for us, the power sector is a daily dilemma that touches every aspect of our lives, and unless we invest in these practical solutions, we’ll keep hissing at the radio every few market days, waiting for the grid to ‘faint’ once more.
The reality is that our power sector is like a rickety danfo bus, barely holding together, with every added passenger threatening to tip it over. With each day’s load adding pressure to an already fragile foundation. Nigeria’s electricity problem isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a fundamental issue that stunts economic growth, stalls education, and complicates daily life. You’d think that a country with over 200 million people would have cracked the electricity code by now. But here we are, still battling for the basics. Imagine!
One key solution is opening up the power sector more aggressively to private investors. In countries that have improved their power supply, a mix of private and public ownership often proves effective. With the right incentives and regulatory frameworks, private companies could enter the market, bringing in innovation, efficiency, and additional funds. For instance, Nigeria could adopt models from countries like Morocco, which have successfully attracted private investors to build renewable energy projects, from solar to wind farms. An increase in competition would spur improvements and keep prices fair.
The legal frameworks governing Nigeria’s power sector need a serious overhaul. Weak regulations, compounded by bureaucratic bottlenecks, prevent meaningful change. Establishing clear, supportive policies and monitoring bodies would make it easier for both government and private stakeholders to invest in infrastructure, enforce standards, and hold each entity accountable. With a sound framework in place, we would experience more consistent progress, moving away from today’s reactive approach to power management.
The electricity gap we face isn’t only a matter of inadequate supply but also inefficient use of what we have. Educating the public about conservation and efficient usage would play a big role in easing strain on the grid. Simple habits, like turning off appliances when not in use, can make a difference when scaled across millions of households. Public campaigns and incentives for energy-saving appliances, like LED bulbs and energy-efficient refrigerators, would also lessen demand. A well-informed public, mindful of energy use, can contribute to sustaining the power we generate.
Our neighbors in West Africa face similar issues, and a collaborative regional approach could be a game-changer. The West African Power Pool, a framework that encourages energy sharing between countries, holds enormous potential. If Nigeria, Ghana, and other neighbors strengthen partnerships to share resources, like excess solar energy from one region during peak times, power stability across the sub-region would greatly improve. Countries like the U.S. and Germany have benefited from regional grids, and we could take a page out of their book by pooling resources, knowledge, and infrastructure investments.
Maybe one day soon, I’ll tune in to the news, ready to hear of bold policies and ground-breaking investments in the power sector rather than tales of grid collapses. But until then, we continue the cycle of hissing, complaining, and dreaming of brighter days, literally and figuratively.
Solving Nigeria’s power challenges requires not only funds but also foresight, planning, and community involvement. We all deserve to live in a country where “light go off” is not a regular part of our vocabulary. Until then, it’s back to the generator hum for many and the dreams of uninterrupted power. In the meantime, as for America’s red and blue battles on TV? They can keep their debates. Just give us light, and we’ll be alright.
@Imam writes from ax4lima@gmail.com
