Residents of Maya Olorijo Estate in Ikorodu, Lagos State, protested on Monday over an 18-month power outage that has left the community without electricity. The demonstration, led by the Olorijo Community Development Association and joined by landlords and youths, moved to the Ikeja Electric Business District in Alogba, where participants carried placards and chanted slogans demanding restoration of power. One sign read, "18 months in darkness, killing Olorijo," while another stated, "18 months, no light for creditworthy customers, bring back our transformer." Victor Ologhobo, chairman of the association, said the blackout began after a transformer serving the estate failed and was removed by Ikeja Electric on January 13, 2025, for repairs. He confirmed the equipment has not been returned or replaced since. Ologhobo urged the power distributor to either return the repaired transformer or provide a new one, emphasizing that residents have continued to pay their bills despite the lack of service. Many local businesses reported crippling operational costs due to reliance on fuel-powered generators, with some on the verge of closure. The protest remained peaceful throughout, with no reports of arrests or confrontations. Ikeja Electric has not issued an official statement on the status of the transformer or a timeline for power restoration. Residents say they are awaiting a formal response and resolution from the power company.
A transformer removed in January 2025 and still not replaced after 18 months exposes a breakdown in basic service accountability. Creditworthy customers in Maya Olorijo are subsidizing a system that fails them without consequence. When paying for electricity yields no guarantee of supply, the contract between utility and consumer is effectively void. This is not misfortune — it is institutional neglect with a clear name and address.
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