Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency, Ayodele Fayose, has attributed Nigeria’s rising population to poor electricity supply, arguing that the lack of power limits nightlife and recreational activities, particularly in rural communities.
Fayose stated this on Friday during a press conference at the Ministry of Power after assuming office as chairman of the REA.
The former Ekiti State governor said inadequate electricity leaves residents, especially in rural areas, with limited entertainment options after nightfall, ultimately pushing them towards spending more time at home.
“When you don’t address this issue of electricity, the people at that level have no alternative attraction. Nothing else matters to them,” Fayose said.
He further attributed the situation to increased family expansion, saying many residents retire to their homes early because of the absence of electricity and other forms of nighttime recreation.
“After 7 o’clock, it gets dark there. Everybody is engaging their wives. And the population simply becomes double. The simple problem is because there is a lack of electricity. People go to bed early.
“Their mind is simply prepared that, well, if this is the only available recreation, let me remain here. But when we address this electricity, there will be nightlife. There will be recreation outside your wife.
Fayose’s comments come amid persistent concerns over Nigeria’s electricity supply, with millions of citizens still lacking reliable access to grid power.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Abba Aliyu, had earlier said more than 85 million Nigerians, representing about 40 per cent of the country’s population, still lacked reliable access to grid electricity.
