The International Human Rights Commission Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT) Nigeria Chapter has expressed deep concern over the ongoing collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid, which has experienced its ninth disruption in 2024. This persistent instability poses a severe challenge to Nigeria’s economy, impacting the daily lives of citizens and undermining the productivity and competitiveness of Nigerian industries.
In a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the union, Ambassador Ashiru Shehu Kachako, the Country Director of IHRC-RFT Nigeria Chapter, Ambassador Captain Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu (Rtd), urged the government to address this pressing issue with immediate and strategic interventions. “This crisis affects millions of Nigerians, forcing businesses to rely on expensive, self-generated power and discouraging foreign investors, who are vital to national economic growth,” the statement read.
The recurring failures of Nigeria’s power grid also infringe upon fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Nigerian Constitution. Article 25 of the UDHR emphasizes the right to an adequate standard of living, including conditions that promote health and well-being. “A stable power supply is essential for ensuring safe living conditions, proper healthcare, and a functional economy,” the IHRC-RFT emphasized.
Article 22 of the UDHR addresses the right to social security, which includes economic, social, and cultural rights necessary for dignity and personal development. “Power grid failures compromise Nigeria’s ability to provide these social securities, as industries, education, and healthcare are severely impacted,” the statement added.
Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution mandates that the welfare and security of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. “Ensuring consistent electricity aligns with this duty, as reliable power is crucial for the well-being and security of the populace,” IHRC-RFT noted.
The statement identified several root causes of the power grid collapses:
1. Aging Infrastructure: Much of Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure dates back to the 1960s and 1970s, and minimal upgrades have led to frequent malfunctions and outages.
2. Underutilization of Funds: Despite significant allocations for power sector reforms, financial mismanagement has prevented meaningful improvements, leaving the grid vulnerable to recurrent failures.
3. Insufficient Power Generation: Nigeria’s power generation capacity does not meet the demands of its rapidly growing population, further straining the system.
4. High Transmission Losses: Nearly 30% of generated electricity is lost during transmission, further destabilizing power availability for end users.
“These issues place a heavy burden on the Nigerian people and economy,” IHRC-RFT stated. In the short term, the commission urges the government to implement effective emergency response measures to mitigate the impact of future collapses. In the long term, IHRC-RFT calls on the government to fast-track upgrades to transmission and generation infrastructure, allocate funds transparently, and work towards providing reliable electricity to meet national demand.
“We stand with the Nigerian people in demanding sustainable, reliable power solutions that will promote economic development, improve quality of life, and support human rights. Addressing this issue is a critical government responsibility that requires swift and sustained action,” the statement concluded.
