Lagos residents protest persistent power outages, demand improved electricity supply

Frustration over persistent electricity outages erupted into a street protest in Lagos on Thursday as residents of the Fadeyi area took to the streets to demand stable power supply.

The demonstration, which caught many commuters by surprise, saw dozens of residents marching through major roads in the community to express anger over what they described as prolonged and unreliable electricity service.

Participants said the unstable power situation has severely disrupted businesses, household activities, and livelihoods, prompting them to stage a public protest to draw attention to their grievances.

Videos circulating on social media showed groups of mostly young Nigerians moving through the streets while chanting slogans, ringing bells, and displaying placards demanding improved electricity supply.

During the march, protesters repeatedly sang the refrain, “All we are saying, give us freedom,” while calling on authorities and electricity providers to address the situation urgently.

“We’re not asking for too much, make them give us light,” one protester shouted during the demonstration, as others echoed the demand.

“Give us light, give us light,” several demonstrators chanted in unison while moving through the neighbourhood.

Despite the visible frustration among residents, the protest remained largely peaceful, with participants focusing on highlighting the impact of unreliable electricity on daily life.

Several protesters carried placards drawing attention to what they described as the damaging effects of unstable electricity supply.

One placard read, “No more epileptic power supply,” while another demanded, “Give us regular light. Say no to touching the light of Ikeja Electric.”

Other demonstrators criticised estimated billing practices, which they say force customers to pay high electricity charges despite irregular supply.

READ ALSO: Power grid collapse linked to line tripping – TCN

“No more to estimated billing,” another placard displayed during the protest read.

The protest in Fadeyi reflects growing frustration among Nigerians over the country’s long-standing electricity challenges.

Many households and small businesses rely heavily on petrol or diesel generators whenever public power supply fails. However, the rising cost of fuel has made this alternative increasingly expensive in recent weeks, worsening the financial burden on residents.

Energy analysts say the country’s electricity sector has struggled with a combination of infrastructure limitations, liquidity challenges, and operational inefficiencies across the value chain.

Lagos is not the only location where residents have recently voiced anger over electricity supply.

In Osun State, members of the Nigerian Youth Congress recently raised concerns over unstable electricity, describing the situation as harmful to economic activities in the state.

Similarly, business owners in Effurun and Uvwie areas of Delta State staged a peaceful protest earlier this week, complaining about high electricity bills and irregular power supply.

Industry leaders have also warned that Nigeria’s electricity crisis could worsen in the coming weeks if urgent steps are not taken to stabilise the sector.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Joy Ogaji, recently warned that the electricity industry is facing severe financial pressure.

According to her, gas suppliers may suspend supply to thermal power plants if power generation companies fail to settle mounting debts owed across the sector.

Reports indicate that the total debt owed by power generation companies currently stands at about N3.3 trillion.

Experts say that without immediate reforms and improved sector financing, the electricity supply situation could deteriorate further.

For residents in Fadeyi and other communities across the country, however, the message remains simple: they want consistent electricity and relief from the economic hardship caused by persistent blackouts.