Former Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ayodele Fayose, has linked Nigeria’s electricity challenges to the country’s nighttime social activities and, humorously, to population growth.
Fayose argued that inadequate electricity supply forces many Nigerians to remain indoors and go to bed early, limiting nightlife and other forms of evening economic and social activities.
According to him, when electricity is unavailable, darkness sets in early and people are more likely to stay at home rather than engage in outdoor 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 the lack of reliable power supply has created a situation where many people naturally prepare to retire early because there are limited activities available after dark.
Fayose suggested that improving electricity access could significantly transform the way Nigerians spend their evenings by encouraging more nightlife, entertainment and economic activities.
“If this is the only option available, they simply stay at home. But if we address the electricity problem, there will be nightlife,” he added.
His remarks highlight the broader impact of Nigeria’s electricity crisis beyond households and businesses, particularly its effect on nightlife, entertainment and the wider nighttime economy.
Reliable electricity remains crucial to extending business hours, supporting entertainment venues and creating an environment where economic activities can continue safely after sunset.
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The Fayose comments have therefore sparked renewed attention on the need for sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s long-standing power supply challenges.
