Abstract
This paper examines the challenge of epileptic electric power supply in Nigeria since independence till date. The paper observes that a majority of Nigerians now pay excessively for darkness as they experience power outage for an average of 20 hours daily, while their estimated billing has continued to increase astronomically, unabated. This has impacted negatively on the socio-economic development of the country and is currently inciting conflicts between the electricity distribution companies and aggrieved consumers across the country. In view of the above, the paper identified some factors responsible for this ugly development and highlights some of its effects on Nigeria's economy. Data for the study was obtained through oral interviews with electricity consumers (especially in Ekiti, Osun and Oyo states) and officials of Ibadan and Benin Electricity Distribution Companies; personal observations; group discussion method; and a rigorous library search of related literature. The study employed the descriptive and analytical qualitative methods of historical research to analyse its data. It recommends that electricity supply should be given necessary attention by the government to enable the country harness her rich human and material resources.
Highlights
Electric power is the most common source of energy in contemporary world history
Apart from this, efficient electricity supply impacts positively on other facets of human existence in the modern world, most especially in vital areas like; commerce, education, communication and the general standard of living (Urrutia, 1965:161). It is in view of the above that this paper examines the problem of inadequate and irregular electric power generation and distribution in Nigeria, since independence
Electricity Management in Nigeria: The Agencies Involved As a result of the emerging needs for electricity in colonial Nigeria, the imperial administration set up the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) in 1950 as a statutory controller and operator of electricity generating and distributing mechanisms that were put in place in many areas in the country (Sule, 2010: 160)
Summary
Electric power is the most common source of energy in contemporary world history. This explains why it plays a pivotal role in the industrial and technological development of nations across the globe. Apart from this, efficient electricity supply impacts positively on other facets of human existence in the modern world, most especially in vital areas like; commerce, education, communication and the general standard of living (Urrutia, 1965:161) It is in view of the above that this paper examines the problem of inadequate and irregular electric power generation and distribution in Nigeria, since independence. This is abysmally low and grossly inadequate when compared to what obtains in some other African countries like South Africa and Ghana where an average of 40,000 and 2,111 megawatts of electricity was generated for a population of 50 million and 23.84 million respectively during the same period (Ohajianya etal, 2014:55) This perhaps accounts for the consistent poor supply of electricity across the country over the years. These, perhaps, made Thomas (1975:91) to conclude that “hydro-electricity is symptomatic of an advanced stage of industrialization and socio-economic development”
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