Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose says prolonged darkness in parts of Nigeria after 7pm is contributing to the country’s rising population, joking that power shortages are leaving Nigerians with little else to do at night.
Mr Fayose made the remark while commenting on Nigeria’s electricity challenges, linking the country’s unreliable power supply to increased time spent indoors and, consequently, higher birth rates.
According to him, the lack of electricity in the evenings has created conditions that encourage couples to spend more time at home.
His comments have drawn attention to the wider challenges posed by Nigeria’s persistent electricity shortages, which have affected households, businesses and economic activities across the country.
Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest populations, with rapid population growth placing additional pressure on housing, healthcare, education, jobs and other public services.
The former governor’s remarks appeared to be made humorously, but they also highlight the broader social consequences of inadequate electricity supply and the impact it has on everyday life.
Nigeria continues to face challenges in providing reliable and affordable electricity, despite repeated government efforts to improve generation, transmission and distribution across the country.
