State of the World from NPR Nigeria’s Chronic Electricity Problems
Aug 6, 2025
Nigeria faces a staggering electricity crisis, with over a third of its population lacking access to power. Those connected to the grid suffer constant outages. The podcast explores the resilience of communities, highlighting a family's innovative electric setup in Badagri that fosters support amidst ongoing struggles. Unfulfilled government promises further complicate the situation, leaving Nigerians to navigate their challenging reality with creativity and determination.
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Nigeria's Electricity Crisis
- Nigeria is one of the most electricity-deprived countries in the world with over a third without access.
- Even those connected to the grid face frequent collapses, showing no improvement.
Community Center Without Power
- In Badagri, a rural Lagos area, only a few homes have electricity, like 60-year-old Cecilia Ogumbe's.
- Her home serves as a community center where neighbors charge devices and watch TV together.
Five Years Without Power
- Residents of Badagri haven't had electricity for more than five years except on election day in 2023.
- Vandalized wires and an overgrown, useless transformer highlight neglect and failed repairs.