Heatwave, Power Outages Push Nigerians Toward Generators & Solar

Widespread Power Outages Grip Nigeria

MILLIONS of Nigerians across several states are grappling with worsening electricity shortages as prolonged blackouts compound hardship during a period of intense heat.

Investigations by correspondents revealed that residents in states including Kano State, Kaduna State, Sokoto State, Enugu State, Benue State, Oyo State, Akwa Ibom State, Taraba State, Lagos State and Ogun State have endured weeks of erratic or near-total power outages.

The situation has forced many households and businesses to abandon reliance on public electricity and increasingly depend on generators and solar power systems.

Energy analysts say the crisis underscores deeper structural weaknesses within Nigeria’s power sector, including gas supply shortages, fragile transmission infrastructure and long-standing underinvestment across the electricity value chain.

For millions already struggling with rising living costs, the outages have translated into business losses, food spoilage and surging energy expenses.

Northern States Hit Hardest

In parts of Kano, residents say electricity supply has dwindled to barely an hour daily.

Ahmad Ibrahim, a resident of Unguwa Uku, said power supply often arrives late at night and lasts for only a short period.

“We hardly get electricity for more than one hour. Sometimes two hours, but most times it comes late at night,” he said.

Another resident, Habibu Abdullahi, said the prolonged outages had pushed many households to adopt alternative energy sources.

“I cannot count the number of houses installing solar systems. Many people have lost hope in public electricity supply,” he said.

The situation appears even more severe in Sokoto, where residents of Mabera, Tamaje and Tudun Wada said electricity supply often falls below one hour daily.

A resident, Musa Abdullahi, said the blackout has made life particularly difficult during the fasting period of Ramadan.

“Because of the heat and fasting, people now depend on neighbours with solar power just to buy ice blocks or cold water,” he said.

Residents also complained that even areas classified under the premium Band A tariff category, which should receive at least 20 hours of electricity daily, are receiving far less.

Businesses Count the Cost

Across several states, business owners say the electricity crisis is crippling productivity.

In Enugu, residents who recently migrated to the high-cost Band A tariff said electricity supply still falls far below expectations.

Chinedu Okafor, a resident of Emene, said consumers now pay higher tariffs while receiving as little as four hours of electricity daily.

“How can people pay the highest tariff when electricity comes for only four hours?” he asked.

For many small business operators, the only alternative is running generators at rising fuel costs.

Amaka Nwosu, who runs a small production business in Nsukka, said generator expenses were severely affecting profitability.

“The cost of running generators is killing our business. Production has slowed and expenses keep rising,” she said.

In Makurdi, a resident identified as Attah said unreliable electricity forced his wife to shut down her frozen food business after repeated spoilage of goods.

Similar complaints were recorded in Ibadan, where artisans and small businesses say power outages have crippled economic activity.

A welder, Musbau Muritala, said many skilled workers have temporarily abandoned their trades due to lack of electricity.

“I cannot do anything without electricity. Sometimes power comes at midnight and disappears before morning,” he said.

Food Losses and Public Frustration

In several communities, prolonged outages have resulted in food spoilage.

A resident in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State said he had to dispose of food items worth nearly ₦100,000 after three days without electricity.

“It was painful, but there was nothing I could do,” he said.

Frustration over the power crisis has also spilled onto social media, where Nigerians are sharing memes and satirical images criticising the government’s handling of electricity supply.

Some online users have even mocked the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, highlighting the growing public dissatisfaction.

Structural Failures in the Power Sector

Experts say the recurring outages reflect deeper systemic problems within Nigeria’s electricity sector.

Although the country has an installed power generation capacity exceeding 12,000 megawatts, actual electricity generation often falls below 4,000 megawatts.

This output is far below what analysts say is needed to serve Nigeria’s population of more than 220 million people.

Energy experts estimate the country would require at least 30,000 megawatts of stable electricity to meet domestic and industrial demand.

Frequent grid collapses and transmission bottlenecks further restrict electricity distribution, while gas shortages continue to limit generation capacity.

Nigeria’s heavy reliance on petrol and diesel generators underscores the scale of the crisis, with estimates suggesting more than 80 million households and businesses rely on generators, creating a backup power market valued at over $10 billion annually.

Gas Supply Constraints Worsen Situation

Electricity distribution companies say the latest outages are partly linked to reduced gas supply to power generation plants.

Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that gas shortages had forced it to increase load shedding across states within its franchise area.

The company supplies electricity to Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto states.

“We are currently experiencing a reduction in power supply due to gas supply constraints affecting generation,” the company said in a message to customers.

Industry insiders say several power plants are operating below capacity due to disruptions in gas supply.

Solar Transition at Presidential Villa

Meanwhile, the Federal Government is expanding solar energy use at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja as part of efforts to reduce reliance on diesel generators and grid electricity.

The ₦17 billion solar project is still undergoing testing, according to officials at the State House.

A senior official said the solar facility would eventually power key installations including the State House Medical Centre, which has already been running largely on solar power since 2025.

Despite the transition, government officials insist the project is intended to reduce operational costs rather than signal a lack of confidence in the national grid.