Pete Edochie speaks out as Nigeria’s power crisis hit new lows

Nollywood legend Pete Edochie has voiced his frustration over Nigeria’s persistent electricity problems, revealing in an interview on Africa Independent Television (AIT) that he spends about ₦40,000 every day just to keep his home powered. The 78-year-old actor said the financial burden has become deeply troubling.

He broke down the daily expenses as follows: ₦10,000 goes toward purchasing electricity units from the national distribution company, ₦20,000 is spent running a diesel generator, and another ₦10,000 covers petrol for a smaller backup generator, bringing the total to ₦40,000 daily.

“It disturbs me a big deal,” the actor said. “Then I listen to people who are only interested in getting into politics and enjoying power. Nobody seems to be bothered about what’s happening to the common man.”

At that rate, Edochie’s electricity expenses amount to approximately ₦1.2 million per month — a figure that underscores the growing cost of energy in the country.

The veteran actor said his experience is a reflection of the wider hardship endured by millions of ordinary Nigerians, who are forced to cobble together multiple power sources simply to get through the day. His remarks come as Nigerians across several states report sharp drops in electricity supply, despite a government band system under which Band A customers are supposed to receive up to 20 to 22 hours of power daily.

Edochie also turned his frustration toward Nigeria’s political class, accusing many of them of prioritising personal comfort over public service and showing little concern for the everyday struggles of citizens.