The second collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid within 24 hours has ignited a storm of public outrage, with many citizens demanding immediate action from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the critical state of the country’s electricity infrastructure.

The recurrent failures of the grid are seen as a major stumbling block to economic stability and growth, casting a long shadow over the administration’s ability to manage one of the nation’s most pressing issues.

The latest collapse plunged vast areas of the country into darkness, disrupting daily life and paralyzing economic activities, especially in urban and suburban regions where power is crucial for businesses and households alike. This recurring failure has left millions of Nigerians frustrated, with many calling for a more decisive response from the presidency to tackle the deep-seated issues plaguing the power sector.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the recent election, has been one of the most vocal critics of the current administration’s handling of the power crisis. Reacting to the grid collapse, Obi described the situation as a clear sign of leadership ineptitude and misplaced priorities. He took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle @PeterObi, asking, “How long must Nigerians endure a system that fails to provide one of the critical necessities for a productive society?”

Obi highlighted the detrimental impact of the power grid’s instability on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of the Nigerian economy. “SMEs are the engine of job creation and contribute significantly to our GDP. How can they thrive in a country where the power supply is so unreliable?” Obi questioned. He lamented the fact that Nigeria, once the largest economy in Africa, has fallen to fourth place due to persistent leadership failures, including the ongoing power crisis.

In a detailed analysis, Obi compared Nigeria’s power generation and distribution capacity with those of other African nations, revealing the stark differences that have kept the country from realizing its full economic potential. He pointed out that while Nigeria struggles to generate and distribute less than 10,000 megawatts of electricity for its population of over 200 million, countries with much smaller populations are outperforming Nigeria in this critical area.

“South Africa, with a population just 30% of Nigeria’s, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts of electricity. It remains Africa’s largest economy with a GDP of about $400 billion,” Obi explained. He also cited Egypt, the continent’s second-largest economy, which produces a similar amount of electricity and has a GDP of approximately $350 billion with only half of Nigeria’s population. Furthermore, Algeria, the third-largest economy in Africa, generates over 50,000 megawatts of power with just 20% of Nigeria’s population and a GDP of about $300 billion.

Obi’s comparisons painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s position in the global economic landscape. “This disparity in power generation is not just about electricity—it’s a reflection of the deep-rooted governance deficit that continues to hold back our growth and potential as a nation,” he declared.

The former presidential candidate stressed that Nigeria’s failure to invest in and reform its power sector is one of the key reasons behind the country’s stunted economic development. With the national grid in a state of near-constant collapse, Nigeria’s ability to attract foreign investment, nurture local industries, and provide a stable environment for businesses to thrive is severely undermined.

Obi called for urgent and comprehensive reforms to the power sector, emphasizing that the government must prioritize measurable indices of development if it is serious about improving the quality of life for Nigerians. “We need to focus on long-term solutions, not temporary fixes. Power is the lifeblood of any economy. Without reliable electricity, we cannot hope to achieve sustained growth,” he added.

Many Nigerians, echoing Obi’s sentiments, have expressed their frustration on social media, asking how many more grid collapses will occur before the government takes meaningful action. The frequent outages, they argue, are not just inconveniences—they are hindering the nation’s progress and deepening the economic challenges faced by millions of people.

A commentator on X, @Snepromotion said “The National grid collapsing for the 124th time this vear reminds me of how my life collapsed because of your absence. I miss you babe.”

Another commentator Femi-niSt. (@femi_ni_ST) “It’s so SHAMEFUL to know other countries are producing power in terawatts. Meanwhile, Nigeria is still struggling to produce and sustain 5,000MW in 2024. It’s a DISGRACE to any past or present leader of this country. National grid collapses every market day like an old car.”

As Nigeria grapples with its power crisis, the pressure is mounting on President Tinubu’s administration to address the issue head-on. Citizens are demanding accountability and effective solutions that go beyond promises and rhetoric. With the country’s power infrastructure in such a fragile state, the question remains: how long will Nigerians have to wait before the lights come back on—permanently?

The call for reform has never been louder, and for many, the time for action is now. Will Tinubu’s administration rise to the challenge, or will the national grid continue to symbolize the failures of successive governments to deliver on one of the most fundamental needs of its people?