Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has stirred controversy with a humorous take on Nigeria’s persistent electricity crisis, arguing that poor power supply may be contributing to population growth.
Fayose, who spoke on the broader social consequences of inadequate electricity, suggested that frequent blackouts leave many Nigerians with fewer options for entertainment and recreation after nightfall.
According to him, when electricity disappears in the evening, particularly in communities with limited recreational facilities, residents are often forced to remain indoors, with family time becoming the dominant form of nighttime activity.
“When you don’t address this issue of electricity, the people at that level have no alternative attraction. Nothing else matters to them,” Fayose said.
He explained that the absence of power often means that people retire early because there is little else to occupy their attention.
“After seven o’clock, it gets dark, everybody is engaging their wives and the population simply becomes double,” he added.
Fayose further argued that improving electricity supply would not only boost economic activities but also transform Nigerians’ social lives by creating opportunities for nightlife and outdoor recreation.
“But when we address this electricity, there’ll be nightlife, there’ll be recreation outside your wife,” he said.
The former governor’s remarks have drawn attention to an often-overlooked dimension of Nigeria’s electricity crisis—the impact of unreliable power on social and recreational life.
For millions of Nigerians, poor electricity supply means businesses close early, entertainment centres struggle to operate, streets become quieter and households are forced to rely on generators, rechargeable lamps and other alternatives.
Beyond the humour in Fayose’s comments, his argument underscores the importance of reliable electricity in supporting a vibrant nighttime economy. Restaurants, cinemas, shopping centres, sports facilities and other entertainment businesses depend heavily on stable power to operate after dark.
Nigeria has continued to grapple with challenges in the power sector, including inadequate generation, transmission constraints and distribution difficulties. The consequences extend beyond households and businesses, affecting productivity, security, education and social activities.
While Fayose’s population-growth theory was delivered in a humorous manner, it has sparked fresh conversation about how electricity shapes everyday life.
For many Nigerians, the dream is therefore not simply to have light to power appliances—but enough reliable electricity to keep communities, businesses and nightlife alive long after sunset.
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