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Two weeks after Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, assured citizens of imminent relief from persistent outages, a cross-country check suggests that for many households and businesses, the reality has barely changed.

This came as recent announcement by President Bola Tinubu of the approval of N3.3 trillion for the settlement of outstanding debt in the nation’s power sector has been received with mixed feelings.

While some experts believe the statement in its entirety, others question its authenticity, describing it as a recurring narrative that has become a trend.

Adelabu had, on March 24, while addressing the media in Abuja, publicly apologised for the wave of blackouts that swept across the country, admitting that the situation had worsened living conditions at a time of intense heat.

He acknowledged the strain on homes, schools and industries, attributing the disruption largely to gas supply constraints and technical issues beyond the government’s immediate control.

“I want to apologise to Nigerians… for this temporary issue that is leading to hardship being experienced,” the Minister said, while promising that “two weeks from now, we should start seeing improvements in supply.”

But from Abuja to Lagos, and across several states, many Nigerians say the promised improvement has yet to materialise.

Worsening situation

In Utako, a district in Abuja, residents described a pattern of prolonged outages and brief, inconsistent supply.

Ekwa Mbuk, one of the affected residents, expressed frustration over what he called a worsening situation.

“So why are we at Utako District subjected to darkness for another night? The heat is sickening. This constant power outage is messing up the quality of life of your customers. Do you care? Please give us light,” he said, in a complaint directed at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.

He added that the power supply in the area had been erratic, with entire days passing without electricity, followed by only a short period of restoration.

“Since last night, no light… we’ve had only an hour of light. Are we getting what we’re paying for?” he asked.

Classifications

Similar sentiments echoed in Lagos, where Iyke Oscar questioned the rationale behind tariff classifications that promised extended supply.

“Why are we still paying as Band A, if we can’t have light up to 24 hours?” he asked, pointing to the growing disconnect between billing structures and actual service delivery.

Familiar pattern

Across the states, the accounts follow a familiar pattern.

In Delta, Abednego Emonena dismissed the situation bluntly: “Electricity in Nigeria is still a joke.”

In Ondo, Akin Muyiwa said residents in Akure had all but given up on the expectation of stable supply. “We don’t know what’s called electricity,” he remarked.

From Imo, Mary Blossom reported that parts of Owerri had experienced a near-total blackout for weeks. “For the past four weeks, no light,” she said.

In Edo State, Diana Efe described outages stretching into days. “This is the fifth day we haven’t seen electricity since rain fell,” she noted, while another resident, Aino, said communities were left with barely two hours of supply daily.

Elsewhere, the frustration is tinged with resignation. In Ekiti, Mr. Awo Adekunle summed it up: “No light, we just dey pay bill.”

Cynthia in Ogun State pointed to a pattern tied to weather conditions. “Once rain falls, no light for the next 12 hours, sometimes 24 hours,” she said, suggesting that infrastructure fragility continues to worsen outages.

For some, the situation has become almost surreal.

Abolanle Ajirowo wondered aloud whether official assurances referred to a different reality. “Maybe there’s another Nigeria we don’t know about,” she said.

Structural problem

Behind these reactions lies a deeper structural problem. Nigeria’s electricity generation has continued to hover around 4,000 megawatts, far below what is required for a population of over 200 million. Per capita electricity consumption remains between 144 and 165 kilowatt-hours, according to data from the International Energy Agency, placing the country well below the African average of 617 kWh.

The implications are visible in daily life. With grid supply unreliable, households and businesses are forced to rely on alternatives such as generators, inverters and solar systems. These come at significant cost, effectively creating a parallel, self-funded energy system.

Power bank rental

“Electricity remains unreliable, forcing people to depend on generators, inverters, or solar setups,” said Obinna Eze. “So you pay for electricity, even when it’s not consistent.”

In a sign of how deeply the crisis has reshaped everyday economics, new micro-businesses have emerged to fill the gap.

Power bank rentals, for instance, are now available in parts of Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Imo and Lagos, offering temporary relief for phone charging and small devices at daily or weekly rates.

For now, the Federal Government maintains that improvements are on the way, tied to the repair of critical gas infrastructure and enforcement of supply obligations among producers.

Adelabu had expressed confidence that restored gas flow, particularly from facilities linked to major operators, would stabilise generation.

Yet, as the deadline he set passed without clear nationwide improvement, public patience appears to be thinning.

What remains is a familiar cycle of promise and delay, with millions of Nigerians still waiting, often in the dark, for a power sector turnaround that has long been anticipated but remains elusive.

Experts speak on N3.3trillion for power sector

Meanwhile, the announcement by Tinubu of the approval of N3.3 trillion for the settlement of outstanding debt in the power sector has been received with mixed feelings.

While some experts believe the statement in its entirety, others question its authenticity, describing it as a recurring narrative that has become a trend.

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The Strait of Hormuz has slowed to near paralysis, with vessel movement dropping to less than 10 percent of its usual volume despite an existing ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Iran continues to assert dominance, instructing ships to remain within its territorial waters.

Key Issues:
– “Iran must open the strait without conditions.” – ADNOC CEO
– Traffic Disruption: Only seven ships transited the strait within 24 hours, compared to the usual 140.
– Oil Prices: Physical crude grades have surged to new all-time highs following a 20 percent cut in global supply.
– Naval Mines Risk: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has directed vessels to pass through Iranian-controlled waters near Larak Island.
– Backlog: Hundreds of oil tankers remain stranded, with clearing operations expected to exceed two weeks.

Ships are now required to enter the strait north of Larak Island and exit south of it, under coordination with the IRGC navy, according to Tasnim. Maritime security firm Ambrey warned that vessels lacking Iranian authorization—especially those linked to Israel and the U.S.—face heightened risks.

“Even vessels with apparent clearance have been turned back mid-journey in recent weeks,” the advisory stated.

Tolls and Cryptocurrency Concerns
Reports indicate that Iran may introduce transit tolls, with some estimates placing the fee at $2 million per vessel. Ship-tracking data shows that several vessels have already diverted around Larak Island.

Western governments have rejected the idea of paying such fees.

An Indian-flagged LPG tanker, Pine Gas, recently navigated the alternative route around Larak Island without paying tolls or being boarded by the IRGC, according to its chief officer, Sohan Lal, who spoke with Reuters.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) emphasized that no global agreement permits tolls for passage through international straits, warning that such a move would set a dangerous precedent.

Further reports suggest Iran may demand payments in cryptocurrency to maintain its control over the strait during the two-week ceasefire, according to statements attributed to Hamid Hosseini of Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union.

Meanwhile, Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has successfully navigated three tankers out of the strait in recent days. The firm is awaiting further direction from the Japanese government on how to operate during the ceasefire, its CEO Jotaro Tamura told Reuters.

India has also granted waivers allowing two Iranian cargo shipments—including LPG used for cooking—to enter its ports, as the country grapples with one of its worst gas shortages in decades and has introduced rationing measures.

The United States recently issued a temporary waiver on Iranian oil exports, set to expire on April 19, in an effort to stabilize global supply and ease rising fuel costs.

Since February 28, at least 23 Iranian-flagged tankers have reached Asia, maintaining pre-conflict shipment levels, according to U.S.-based advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which tracks Iranian maritime activity.
The ongoing disruption has driven global oil prices to record highs, sending shockwaves across international energy markets.

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Hundreds of youths in Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Monday staged a protest over what they described as a politically motivated attempt to undermine the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The demonstrators, drawn from various youth and civil society groups, marched through major streets of the community, voicing strong support for the independence of the electoral body and expressing confidence in Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Enemies of Fairness, Beware!” and “Fair Elections Start with Amupitan,” the protesters insisted that recent claims and rumours circulating on social media were part of a broader agenda to discredit the electoral system.

The protest featured a large procession of youths on motorcycles and on foot, drawing attention from residents as participants chanted solidarity songs and called for the protection of democratic institutions.

Speaking during the demonstration, a youth leader identified as Segun said the group would resist any attempt to “blackmail” or weaken the electoral body.

“We are here to send a clear message: the sanctity of INEC must be preserved. Prof. Amupitan is a man of integrity and a proud son of this land. Any attempt to malign his character or remove him unjustly is an attack on democracy,” he said.

The protest comes amid ongoing national debates over the appointment of new INEC National Commissioners, with some civil society organisations and opposition voices raising concerns about alleged political affiliations of certain nominees.

However, the Kogi youths dismissed such allegations as “sponsored propaganda,” arguing that Amupitan’s professional record and legal expertise position him to strengthen the credibility of the commission and ensure transparent electoral processes.

Meanwhile, INEC has rejected calls for the removal of its chairman, describing such demands as unconstitutional and a threat to the independence of the electoral body.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission stressed that its leadership is governed strictly by constitutional provisions, particularly Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the process for appointment and removal.

The Commission explained that its recent actions, including compliance with court rulings and decisions relating to party activities, were guided by the rule of law and aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic framework.

INEC also dismissed claims of partisan bias, noting that its recognition of multiple political parties and commitment to electoral transparency contradict allegations of a one-party agenda.

Reaffirming its commitment, INEC stated that it remains focused on delivering free, fair, and credible elections, adding that it would not be distracted by what it described as unfounded allegations.

The developments come ahead of key off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun states later in the year, as stakeholders continue to scrutinise the electoral body’s actions and leadership.