Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has weighed in on Nigeria’s ongoing electricity challenges, arguing that citizens are not demanding excessive supply but only basic and practical access to power.
Speaking on the issue, Adeyanju explained that most Nigerians are not asking for continuous 24-hour electricity, but rather a more reliable supply that meets essential daily needs.
According to him, the expectations of ordinary citizens are modest and centered around key moments in daily life, particularly when they return home in the evening and prepare for work in the morning.
“Nigerians don’t even want 24 hours light, can they even afford 24 hours light? Nigerians just want to come home at 8pm and meet light so they won’t sweat when they sleep and also meet the light by 7am so they can iron their clothes,” he said.
He added that electricity could be redirected to support industrial and commercial needs during other hours of the day, suggesting that better distribution could benefit both households and factories.
Adeyanju also argued that Nigerians are often mischaracterized as demanding more than necessary in public utilities, insisting that their expectations remain reasonable.
“Nigerians are not asking for much and they’re the easiest people to please. How can this be too much?” he asked.
His comments add to ongoing national discussions about the state of electricity supply in Nigeria, where unstable power remains one of the most persistent infrastructural challenges affecting households and businesses.
While governments at different levels have introduced reforms and privatization efforts over the years, reliable electricity supply remains a major concern for many citizens, particularly in urban areas where daily dependence on power is high.
Adeyanju’s remarks highlight the gap between policy discussions around power generation and the everyday realities of citizens who rely on electricity for basic comfort and routine activities.
The statement has since sparked online conversations, with many Nigerians sharing similar frustrations about inconsistent power supply and the rising costs of alternative energy sources, such as generators and fuel.
At the center of his argument is a simple point, that for many citizens, stable electricity at critical hours of the day would represent a significant improvement in quality of life, even without a full 24-hour supply.
