For decades, Nigerians have endured unstable electricity supply despite repeated government promises and extensive reforms. Successive administrations, including both the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have presided over a failing power sector. Trillions of naira have been spent on restructuring and privatisation, yet the outcome remains unchanged for most households. The 2010 power sector reform led to the privatisation of generation and distribution companies, but transmission stayed under government control through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Performance metrics show minimal improvement since then. Many Nigerians rely on private generators, incurring high costs for daily survival. Muhammad Jamilu Abdullahi, author of the piece, questioned why no administration has delivered on the promise of stable power. He noted that both major parties have followed similar paths, making identical pledges and falling short in execution.
The APC governing now once criticised PDP's power failures, yet has delivered no meaningful shift in electricity access. The fact that trillions have been spent since the 2010 reform without measurable gains exposes a cycle of mismanagement that transcends party lines. This continuity means Nigerian voters are not getting alternatives—just rebranded disappointment. For citizens, it translates to ongoing reliance on costly alternatives, with no end to the darkness in sight.
