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Renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi has lamented the country’s prolonged electricity crisis while challenging Nigerians to stop treating hardship as their national identity.
He said Nigeria cannot industrialise, create jobs or grow economically while citizens lack reliable power.
“We cannot continue treating hardship as though it were our national identity. Electricity is not a luxury. It is the foundation of modern economic life,” Utomi stated.
He noted that while electricity companies in developed countries like the United States are expected to account for prolonged outages and restore supply within reasonable time, Nigerian communities go weeks without power without explanation.
He said, “In most developed countries, particularly the United States, electricity companies are expected to account for prolonged power outages. Consumers have rights, and service providers are expected to explain disruptions and restore supply within a reasonable time.
“But here in Nigeria, entire communities can go weeks without electricity, and nobody seems to owe the people a serious explanation. Even Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, continues to struggle with an epileptic power supply. I recently read about communities in Ibeju-Lekki that reportedly went 15 years without electricity. Fifteen whole years!”
Utomi questioned the impact of such prolonged outages on small businesses.
He said, “What happens to the woman running a cold-room business? What happens to the young man operating a barbing salon, the welder, the tailor, the small factory owner and the thousands of Nigerians whose livelihoods depend on electricity?
“How many businesses have collapsed? How many jobs have been lost? How many dreams have been abandoned simply because people cannot count on something as basic as electricity?”
Taking a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Utomi said Nigerians are not asking for miracles but basic conditions to live and work with dignity.
“The APC must understand that Nigerians are not asking for miracles. They are asking for the basic conditions that allow them to live, work, raise families and build businesses with dignity,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to look beyond propaganda, tribalism and religion ahead of 2027.
“Do not allow political propaganda and tribalism or religious affiliations to distract you from the reality of your everyday life. Do not let anyone convince you that suffering is the price you must pay for being Nigerian.
“You deserve good roads. You deserve functional hospitals. You deserve quality education. You deserve a reliable and steady electricity. Above all, you deserve a government that understands that public office is a responsibility, not a privilege,” Utomi said.
Utomi, a strong supporter of Peter Obi of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said voters would have the opportunity in 2027 to demand change.
“You can continue with the same political arrangement, endure the same epileptic electricity crisis and complain about the same problems until 2031. Or you can use your democratic power in 2027 to demand a different direction which is by sending APC home.
“Peter Obi is a man committed to accountable leadership, productive investment and a government that puts citizens first, he will not be enjoying the benefits of solar 24/7 in Aso Rock while you’re battling with an epileptic electricity in your homes and businesses,” he said.
Utomi added: “But one thing must be clear, Nigeria’s suffering must never again be treated as something Nigerians are expected to tolerate indefinitely.”
