Amidst heatwave, electricity supply shortage bites harder

A heatwave across Nigeria has exacerbated electricity supply shortages, causing significant hardship for residents, Daily Trust reports. In cities like Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Maiduguri, Ondo State, Kwara, and others, residents have been grappling with frequent outages lasting days or weeks. Many have resorted to uncomfortable and risky measures to cope with the heat, while businesses dependent on electricity are suffering losses.

In Lagos, residents staged a protest over persistent blackouts, calling for urgent action from their electricity distribution company. The shortage has been attributed to reduced power generation and lower electricity allocation from the national grid. A recent warning from the Lagos State Government about potential extreme heat conditions due to the El Niño climate pattern has further heightened concerns.

Projections indicate that Nigeria could see an additional 31,400 heat-related deaths between September 2026 and February 2027. In Abuja, residents have also faced worsening electricity supply, with many struggling to cope with daily blackouts and intense heat, leading to reports of dehydration and dizziness. The combination of high temperatures and unreliable electricity has put immense pressure on residents' ability to maintain comfortable living conditions and run businesses.