‘Lack of Electricity Makes Nigeria’s Population Double’ — REA Chairman Fayose

The Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ayodele Fayose, has linked Nigeria’s persistent electricity shortage to the country’s growing population, arguing that darkness at night encourages more people to stay indoors and engage in activities that could lead to increased childbirth.

Fayose made the controversial remark while speaking during a live interview on Arise News.

According to him, the lack of electricity means many Nigerians have little choice but to retire indoors early, particularly in communities without reliable power supply.

“When you don’t address the issue of electricity, by 7 o’clock it gets dark, and people start engaging with their wives, so the population doubles,” Fayose said.

He added that improving electricity supply would create opportunities for nightlife and other forms of entertainment, giving Nigerians more reasons to spend their evenings outside their homes.

“If we address the electricity problem, there will be nightlife,” he said.

The comments have sparked reactions, with some Nigerians and public policy observers questioning the explanation and arguing that the country’s electricity crisis has far more serious economic and social consequences.

Nigeria has continued to struggle with inadequate and unreliable electricity supply, particularly in rural communities. Millions of Nigerians remain without access to the national grid, while businesses and households with access often contend with prolonged outages.

The power crisis has also placed a heavy financial burden on businesses, many of which rely on diesel-powered generators to remain operational, significantly increasing their running costs.

The REA has continued to pursue rural electrification initiatives, including the deployment of solar mini-grids and other off-grid solutions aimed at extending electricity access to underserved communities.

However, Fayose’s comments have renewed public discussion about Nigeria’s long-running electricity challenges and the wider social and economic effects of inadequate power supply.