“No Light, No Night Life” — Fayise Links Nigeria’s Power Crisis To Early Nights And Popultion Growth
Nigeria’s electricity crisis has sparked an unusual argument from the Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ayodele Fayose, who says persistent power shortages are keeping Nigerians indoors at night and may be contributing to population growth.
Fayose made the remark in a statement that began circulating widely on Saturday, August 8, 2026, while discussing the broader social and economic consequences of inadequate electricity supply in Nigeria. The comments have since attracted attention because of his unconventional explanation of how darkness affects people’s nighttime activities.
According to Fayose, inadequate electricity supply means that many Nigerians effectively lose their evening hours once darkness sets in, particularly in communities where there is little or no reliable alternative source of power.
He argued that when electricity is unavailable, people tend to return home earlier, creating what he described as a situation where families spend more time indoors.
“When you don’t address the issue of electricity, by 7 o’clock it gets dark, and people start engaging with their wives, so the population doubles,” Fayose said.
He added that improving electricity supply would encourage longer evening economic and social activities, including nightlife, entertainment and businesses that depend on customers remaining outside their homes after dark.
Fayose said the issue should therefore be viewed beyond electricity for domestic lighting, arguing that reliable power is connected to economic activity, employment, entertainment and the general quality of life.
Kristina Reports notes that the chairman’s argument comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s long-running electricity supply challenges. Studies have documented the effects of unreliable electricity on households and businesses, including increased dependence on generators and other alternative energy sources. Research focusing on Ado-Ekiti, for instance, found that many households experienced limited daily electricity supply and had adopted multiple energy sources to cope with unreliable grid power.
The consequences are particularly significant for small businesses, artisans, restaurants, entertainment venues and other enterprises that rely on electricity to operate beyond daylight hours.
Fayose’s comments also come shortly after his appointment to lead the Rural Electrification Agency, placing him at the centre of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand electricity access, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
While his explanation linking electricity shortages to population growth was made in a humorous and provocative manner, his broader message was that reliable electricity could help Nigerians make greater use of their evenings and create more opportunities for businesses and social activities.
The challenge now remains whether efforts under the REA and other power-sector institutions can significantly improve electricity access and reliability for millions of Nigerians who continue to depend on generators, solar systems and other alternatives when the national grid fails.
