Power Crisis Deepens in Ibadan Community as Residents Lament Prolonged Blackouts

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Ibadan, Oyo State — Residents of Mokola are grappling with a worsening electricity crisis that has left homes and businesses in near darkness for weeks, sparking frustration, economic strain, and growing public distrust.

For over a month, many households in the bustling city of Ibadan have reported receiving electricity for less than 30 minutes across four consecutive days. The erratic power supply has disrupted daily life and significantly affected small and medium-scale businesses that rely heavily on consistent electricity.

Business owners say the situation has become unsustainable, especially with the rising cost of fuel. Many have been forced to depend on petrol or diesel generators, but the increasing prices have made this option nearly impossible to maintain.

“Running a generator now feels like running at a loss,” one shop owner lamented. “We barely make profit anymore.”

While solar energy is often presented as an alternative, residents argue that the high installation costs put it out of reach for the average citizen. As a result, many feel trapped with no viable solution.

Amid the hardship, anger is mounting against the government, with some residents alleging that the prolonged outage may not be entirely accidental. With general elections approaching next year, suspicions and conspiracy theories have begun to circulate.

“This situation is deliberate,” a resident said. “Ithink it’s a strategy that could somehow influence the elections.”

However, these claims remain speculative and unverified.

In an effort to understand the root of the crisis, a reporter with Congress News, Micheal Chukwuebuka, spoke with several residents, including a staff member of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, who requested anonymity. The encounter took place at a local store where the staff member had come to charge his phone — a scene that underscores the severity of the situation.

According to the staff member, there is no known technical fault responsible for the prolonged outage.

“There’s nothing wrong with the light,” he stated. “I’ve spent many years in Mokola, and I have never experienced anything like this before.”

Historically, Mokola has been known as one of the communities in Ibadan with relatively stable electricity supply. Residents confirm that power supply remained fairly consistent up until January this year, before the sudden decline began between late January and early February.

Another resident, popularly known as “Arsenal,” shared his experience after visiting an IBEDC office to settle outstanding electricity bills. To his surprise, he discovered that the office itself relied on solar power.

“I went there to pay my bill, and they were using solar,” he said. “It just shows how bad the situation is.”

The electricity crisis in Mokola reflects a broader national challenge facing Nigeria, where inconsistent power supply continues to hinder economic growth and affect the quality of life for millions.

As residents continue to endure the hardship, many are calling for urgent intervention and transparency from relevant authorities to restore stable electricity and rebuild public trust.

Credit: Stonix News