Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has sparked fresh debate on Nigeria’s power situation after saying that most Nigerians are not even demanding 24-hour electricity due to concerns about cost and practicality.
Adeyanju made the comment in a public post where he argued that ordinary Nigerians only want basic, stable electricity that can support their daily lives, rather than full round-the-clock supply that may be expensive or difficult to sustain.
In his statement, he said many Nigerians simply want electricity at key times of the day to make life easier. He explained that people want to return home in the evening to find light so they can rest comfortably, and also have electricity in the morning to carry out basic activities before going to work.
“Nigerian don’t even want 24 hours light; can they even afford 24 hours light? Nigerians just want to come home at 8pm and meet light so they won’t sweat when they sleep and also meet the light by 7am so they can iron their cloths,” he said.
He added that stable electricity could also be used more productively if supply is managed to support industries and factories, which he believes should be prioritised in national planning.
“Then you can take the light and divert it to where factories are,” he added.
Adeyanju argued that Nigerians are generally not difficult to satisfy when it comes to basic services, especially electricity, which has remained one of the country’s biggest challenges for decades.
“Nigerians are not asking for much and they’re the easiest people to please. How can this be too much?” he said.
His comments have since triggered mixed reactions online, with some people agreeing with his view while others insist that Nigerians deserve full and uninterrupted electricity supply like citizens in many other countries.
Electricity supply in Nigeria has remained a major national concern for years. Despite repeated promises by successive governments, the country continues to struggle with unstable power generation, transmission, and distribution.
Many households still rely heavily on petrol and diesel generators, while businesses spend large amounts of money on alternative power sources to keep running.
The national power sector has faced challenges including poor infrastructure, low generation capacity, gas supply issues, and frequent system failures. These problems have made it difficult to achieve steady electricity supply across the country.
Nigeria’s electricity demand is estimated to be far higher than what is currently being supplied to the national grid. As a result, many communities experience daily power cuts, sometimes lasting for several hours or even days.
Over the years, the government has introduced various reforms in the power sector, including privatization of distribution companies and efforts to attract private investment. However, results have remained mixed, with many Nigerians still expressing frustration over unreliable supply.
Adeyanju’s statement touches on a broader national conversation about what level of electricity supply should be prioritized in a developing economy like Nigeria.
In many developed countries, uninterrupted electricity is taken for granted, but in Nigeria, access to stable power remains a daily struggle for millions of people.
The debate also reflects the wider issue of inequality in access to infrastructure. While some urban areas enjoy relatively better supply, many rural communities remain underserved or completely off the national grid.
This tension between affordability and reliability continues to shape discussions around power reform in the country.
Adeyanju’s comments, though controversial, highlight the everyday reality faced by many Nigerians who have adapted to irregular electricity supply as part of daily life.
For many households, access to light even for a few hours a day is considered a success. This has led to widespread use of generators, rechargeable lamps, and solar alternatives where possible.
As the debate continues, attention remains on how policymakers can balance cost, access, and long-term sustainability in the power sector.
While some Nigerians say they want full 24-hour electricity, others argue that even stable partial supply would significantly improve quality of life.
For now, the conversation sparked by Adeyanju reflects the ongoing struggle to define what “acceptable” electricity supply should look like in a country still working to fix its power challenges.