Dare Babalola
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has slammed the Nigerian government over the country’s latest power grid collapse, saying it is a “national shame” that highlights the nation’s ongoing struggle with electricity access.
In a statement he made via his X on Saturday, Obi noted that January 2026 marked the continuation of a disturbing trend, with the grid collapsing yesterday, following multiple collapses in January 2025.
He expressed disappointment that Nigeria has been ranked as having the least access to electricity globally for three consecutive years, with nearly 100 million citizens lacking power.
Obi emphasised that this crisis is not just a statistic, but a harsh reality that stifles economic growth, hampers productivity, and affects the overall well-being of Nigerians.
Obi contrasted Nigeria’s situation with other African countries, citing South Africa’s 40,000 megawatts for 64 million people, Egypt’s 40,000 megawatts for 115 million people, and Algeria’s 50,000 megawatts for 48 million people.
He said Nigeria’s 5,000 megawatts for over 240 million people is “absurdly low” and a stark reminder of the country’s failed infrastructure.
According to Obi, this power crisis is a direct result of years of neglect, mismanagement, and a lack of visionary leadership.
The former Labour Party leader attributed the power crisis to “continuous leadership failures”, emphasising the need for competent and committed leadership in the power sector.
He argued that the sector requires strategic planning, investment, and expertise to address the country’s massive energy needs. Obi urged Nigerians to prioritise electing leaders with capacity and dedication in 2027, saying “anything less is unacceptable”.
He emphasised that Nigerians deserve better and that it’s time for leaders to put the nation’s interests above personal and political gains.
