If you’re a Nigerian, you’ve probably heard (or shouted) the words, “Up NEPA!” many times than you can count. For many of us, it’s a reflex. Once the light comes on, children scream in excitement, adults plug in everything that needs charging, and small businesses get a few precious hours to operate without burning diesel. Yet, still in this year, we’re still battling with the same old problem: unstable power supply. But why? Is it truly the rain? Or have we just normalized dysfunction in this country?
Let’s look at some of the reasons Nigeria still take the light when it rains, how we got here, and what it will take to finally enjoy steady electricity like our neighbors in Ghana and beyond.
Why Does NEPA Take Light When it Rains in Nigeria?
A Brief History of Nigeria’s Power Sector Woes
The problem didn’t start today. Our national electricity story began with the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN), which later merged into the famous NEPA – Nigerian Electric Power Authority. NEPA was synonymous with disappointment, jokes, and darkness. In 2005, the government tried to shake things up by transforming NEPA into the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and later unbundling it into multiple companies under the privatisation reform.
While privatisation was meant to improve efficiency, reduce corruption, and increase investment, it hasn’t yielded much fruit. In fact, many Nigerians now feel that whether it’s NEPA or the newer DISCOs (Distribution Companies), the song remains the same: no light.
Top Reasons Why NEPA Still Take the Light When it Rains
1. Outdated and Poorly Maintained Infrastructure
Let’s face it: most of Nigeria’s power infrastructure is decades old. Transformers, cables, and substations in many areas have outlived their lifespan. When the equipment fails (which happens often), repairs are slow and replacements are rare.
Also, our maintenance culture in Nigeria is weak. Equipment that should be inspected regularly is left to rot for years. In some rural areas, residents have become electricians out of necessity.
2. Low Power Generation vs National Demand
Nigeria’s population is over 210 million, and we need an estimated over 30,000 megawatts daily to serve the whole country. But guess how much we actually generate on a good day? Just about 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts. That’s barely enough to keep a mid-sized city running, let alone the entire nation.
When demand outweighs supply by such a wide margin, blackouts are inevitable. We need more generation plants, more diverse sources of energy (especially renewables), and better planning.
3. Transmission and Distribution Failures
Even when power is generated, getting it to your home is a whole different battle on its own. The transmission grid is weak and can barely handle what we produce. Adding to that the distribution network, which is plagued by technical faults, overloaded lines, and, sometimes, outright sabotage.
Power is lost in transmission at rates far above the global average. For every unit generated, only a fraction gets to the final consumer.
4. Environmental Factors: When Rain Means Darkness
Believe it or not, some power officials still use rain as an excuse for outages. Yes, weather affects power systems everywhere, but in Nigeria, the fear of rain is the beginning of darkness.
Why? Because our infrastructure isn’t weather-proof. A simple storm can knock out power lines, flood substations, or trip the entire grid. It shouldn’t be this way, but poor planning and lack of climate-resilient infrastructure means rain equals outage.
5. Financial and Economic Constraints
The power sector is underfunded and heavily indebted. Gas suppliers aren’t being paid, DISCOs complain about low tariffs, and the government struggles with subsidy payments. When there’s no money, nothing works.
Inconsistent policies and economic instability make investors wary. Meanwhile, the average Nigerian is stuck between paying for darkness or spending thousands monthly on fuel.
6. Theft, Vandalism, and Load Shedding
Electricity theft is rampant in Nigeria. From illegal connections to bypassed meters, the losses are enormous. Vandalism also contributes heavily – people steal cables, destroy transformers, and sell parts for quick cash. Each act of vandalism leads to days or weeks of outages in affected communities.
Then there’s load shedding – an ugly necessity. To prevent total collapse of the grid, electricity is rationed. This means power is deliberately cut in certain areas so that others can have light.
7. Poor Management and Corruption in the Sector
Unfortunately, corruption and inefficiency are deeply rooted. Contracts are awarded without due process, projects are abandoned halfway, and performance is rarely tracked. The entire value chain – generation, transmission, and distribution – is plagued by mismanagement.
Many officials benefit from the chaos. Importers of generators, diesel dealers, and even some insiders profit from the dysfunction, so fixing the system threatens their income.
How Power Outages Affect Daily Life in Nigeria
It is no longer news that unreliable electricity cripples our economy. Businesses spend a huge portion of their capital on fuel. Hospitals operate without steady power, risking lives. Students read with candles. Farmers can’t preserve their produce. Tech startups migrate to Ghana or Rwanda. It’s more than inconvenience; it’s a national crisis.
The psychological toll is real too. Constant noise from generators, heat from no fans, and the daily battle to keep food from spoiling drain both energy and morale.
Can We Fix This? Possible Solutions for Nigeria’s Power Sector
Yes, but it won’t be easy or quick.
- Massive investment is needed in generation, transmission, and distribution.
- Diversifying our energy sources (solar, hydro, wind) can reduce overdependence on gas.
- Policy reforms must be consistent, transparent, and investor-friendly.
- Privatisation must be re-evaluated – not just in structure but in implementation.
- Local communities need to be empowered to protect infrastructure.
- Corruption must be tackled head-on, with real consequences for bad actors.
Conclusion – It’s More Than Just Rain
So, no, it’s not just the rain. Nigeria’s power outage problem is deeply systemic. It’s the result of years of neglect, bad leadership, poor funding, and missed opportunities. But all hope isn’t lost.
If we confront the issues honestly, hold stakeholders accountable, and invest wisely, the day may come when we shout “Up NEPA!” for the last time – not because the light just came on, but because it never left in the first place.
Until then, keep your power bank charged. You never know when NEPA will strike next.