Fayose: Darkness After 7pm Is Making Nigerians Have More Children

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has sparked controversy with a striking comment linking Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges to the country’s growing population.

Fayose reportedly suggested that the lack of electricity after 7pm could be contributing to Nigerians having more children, drawing attention to the wider social consequences of prolonged power outages and the absence of reliable electricity in many communities.

FAYOSE LINKS POWER OUTAGES TO NIGHTTIME ACTIVITIES

The former governor’s comment centres on the everyday reality of Nigerians who frequently experience electricity shortages, particularly during the evening and nighttime hours.
According to Fayose, when communities are plunged into darkness after 7pm, residents have fewer entertainment and recreational options available to them. He used the situation to make a humorous but provocative connection between electricity shortages and increased family activity at night.

The remark has generated reactions because it presents Nigeria’s electricity crisis from an unusual social perspective, rather than focusing solely on its economic consequences.

NIGERIA’S POWER CHALLENGE, FAYOSE IN ANOTHER DIMENSION

Nigeria has continued to face challenges in providing stable electricity to households and businesses, with power supply affected by issues across the generation, transmission and distribution segments of the electricity industry.
Unreliable electricity has significant consequences for businesses, students, healthcare facilities and households. Many Nigerians rely on alternative sources of power when grid electricity is unavailable, increasing the cost of living and doing business.

The Federal Government has repeatedly announced reforms and investments aimed at improving electricity generation, transmission and distribution while expanding access to underserved communities.

THE POPULATION DEBATE: DARKNESS VS CHILDREN

Fayose’s statement has also opened a broader conversation about population growth and family planning in Nigeria. The country has one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing populations, making questions surrounding healthcare, education, employment, housing and economic opportunities increasingly important.

While Fayose’s comment was presented in a humorous and provocative manner, population growth is influenced by numerous complex factors, including fertility preferences, access to healthcare and family-planning services, education, income levels and cultural practices.
There is no basis from the comment alone to conclude that electricity shortages are a principal driver of Nigeria’s fertility rate.

REACTIONS TO FAYOSE’S REMARK

The statement is likely to generate mixed reactions, with some Nigerians viewing it as a humorous way of highlighting the seriousness of the country’s power crisis, while others may criticise the comparison as an oversimplification of the factors influencing population growth.

Nevertheless, Fayose’s remark has once again placed Nigeria’s electricity problems at the centre of public discussion and highlighted how unreliable power supply affects aspects of everyday life beyond business and economic productivity.
As the Federal Government continues efforts to improve electricity access across the country, Nigerians will be watching to see whether sustained improvements in power supply can finally reduce the country’s dependence on alternative sources of electricity and improve living conditions for millions of households. OGM News NG will continue to update you on new development.