Powerless: The Growing Crisis Of Electricity Shortages And Its Impact On Daily Life -By Balqees Uthman Malami

Electricity is a cornerstone of modern life, essential for a wide range of daily activities—from pumping water and refrigerating food to charging mobile phones and powering businesses. However, Nigeria’s electricity crisis, especially in the northern regions, is reaching critical levels due to ongoing security challenges that have hampered repairs on major transmission lines. This has led to widespread blackouts, impacting businesses and households alike.

In Maiduguri, business owners and residents alike are feeling the strain. Soft drink sellers, phone-charging kiosks, dry cleaners, and countless others have voiced their frustrations over prolonged power outages that are stalling their livelihoods.

In an exclusive interview, Mallam Isa, a resident of Gwange, described the hardships he faces just to keep his phone charged. “Even though I’m willing to pay, it’s hard to find places with electricity to charge my phone,” he shared. Another resident, Yusuf Ali, highlighted the water crisis exacerbated by the lack of power. “We struggle to get water when there’s no electricity for pumping, and water vendors are scarce and charge exorbitant rates,” he explained.

Abba Jibril, a dry cleaner, expressed his frustration over being unable to work for over a week. “I barely make enough profit to sustain myself, let alone buy fuel to run a generator for my business,” he lamented.

These stories illustrate the profound impact of Nigeria’s power crisis, as families and entrepreneurs alike grapple with the daily disruptions caused by electricity shortages. Without a reliable solution, the crisis will only deepen, further affecting daily life and economic stability across the region.

Balqees Uthman Malami a from Mass communication Department Borno State University