Lagos became one of the first African cities to have electricity when its first power station was commissioned in 1896, even before some major European cities. However, Nigeria’s current electricity crisis, forcing many Lagos residents to rely on generators and candles, is due to several factors:

1. Colonial Infrastructure and Neglect

The initial power systems were built primarily to serve the British colonial administration and select areas. After independence in 1960, there was little expansion to match population growth, leaving much of the country underpowered.

2. Rapid Population Growth

Lagos’ population has exploded from under 300,000 in 1950 to over 20 million today. The demand for electricity has far outstripped supply, while investment in infrastructure has lagged behind.

3. Poor Maintenance and Corruption

Nigeria’s power sector has suffered from mismanagement, lack of maintenance, and corruption. Billions of dollars have been spent on power projects, but poor execution and diversion of funds have left the system broken.

4. Over-Reliance on Gas and Transmission Failures

Nigeria has abundant gas reserves, but poor infrastructure, pipeline vandalism, and an unreliable transmission network mean that power plants frequently shut down. The national grid collapses multiple times a year, causing widespread blackouts.

5. Privatization Without Improvement

In 2013, Nigeria privatized its power sector to improve efficiency, but the new private companies have struggled due to high debts, lack of government support, and poor revenue collection from customers.

6. Dependence on Generators

Because of unreliable electricity, Nigerians, including those in Lagos, have turned to generators as an alternative. Nigeria is one of the world’s largest importers of generators, with businesses and households spending billions yearly on fuel and maintenance.

7. Energy Theft and Distribution Losses

Illegal connections and unpaid bills contribute to massive losses for distribution companies, leading to poor service and frequent blackouts.

Solutions?

To fix this crisis, Nigeria needs serious investment in power generation, transmission, and distribution, alongside regulatory reforms to curb corruption and ensure efficient service delivery. Renewable energy sources like solar could also help reduce dependence on the failing national grid.

Lagos once led Africa in electricity, but today, it’s a symbol of Nigeria’s power struggles.