By NaijaonpointOnline
The Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency, Ayodele Fayose, has linked Nigeria’s electricity challenges to the country’s population growth, arguing that inadequate power supply encourages people to stay indoors and retire to bed early.
Fayose made the remark while discussing the wider social and economic implications of Nigeria’s electricity deficit.
According to him, the lack of reliable electricity means that darkness often sets in early, particularly in communities without adequate power supply, leaving residents with limited options for evening activities.
“When you don’t address the issue of electricity, by 7 o’clock it gets dark, and people start engaging with their wives, so the population doubles,” Fayose said.
He explained that in the absence of electricity and other forms of nightlife, many Nigerians are compelled to remain at home, adding that the situation could indirectly contribute to increased birth rates.
“The simple problem is that, because there is no electricity, people go to bed early. Their minds are already prepared for it. If this is the only option available, they simply stay at home,” he said.
Fayose stressed that improving electricity supply would not only support economic activities but also transform social life by enabling businesses and entertainment centres to operate later into the evening.
“But if we address the electricity problem, there will be nightlife,” he added.
His comments have drawn attention to the broader impact of Nigeria’s power challenges, which extend beyond households and businesses to social activities, employment opportunities and the general quality of life.
Reliable electricity remains a major concern in Nigeria, with stakeholders repeatedly calling for sustained investment in power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure to improve supply across the country.
Fayose’s remarks therefore add a social dimension to the longstanding debate over the need to resolve Nigeria’s electricity crisis.