
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed strong condemnation over the recent collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid, labeling it a “national shame.” This condemnation follows two separate collapses within a 24-hour period, with the first occurring on Monday evening around 6:18 PM, plunging much of the country into darkness. The second collapse was confirmed by electricity distribution companies the following day.
In a statement released on Tuesday via X, Obi pointed to the incident as indicative of broader failures in leadership and policy implementation at the highest levels of government. He stated, “For the umpteenth time, the national grid has collapsed, plunging a huge part of the nation into darkness and exposing the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure. This recurring disaster is a national shame and a glaring testament to the failure of leadership and policy implementation at the highest levels.”
Obi questioned how long Nigerians must endure a system that fails to deliver one of the most critical necessities for a productive society. He argued that the latest power grid collapse reflects a government that has consistently neglected the welfare and economic well-being of its citizens.
He highlighted the vital role of a stable power supply in transforming the economy, particularly in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are crucial for job creation and contribute significantly to the country’s GDP. Obi noted, “Today, we are the fourth largest economy in Africa, having fallen from the number one position due to leadership failure over the years, including the persistent power crisis.”
To illustrate the severity of Nigeria’s power issues, Obi compared the country’s power generation to that of other African nations. He pointed out that South Africa, with a GDP of about $400 billion, generates over 40,000 megawatts of electricity for a population that is only 30% of Nigeria’s. Similarly, Egypt, the second-largest economy, also generates over 40,000 megawatts, while Algeria, with a GDP of about $300 billion, produces over 50,000 megawatts.
In contrast, Obi emphasized that Nigeria, despite having a larger population and lower GDP than these countries, generates and distributes less than 10,000 megawatts, a figure often plagued by frequent failures and crises. He concluded by calling for an urgent and comprehensive reform of the power sector to address these persistent issues.