Ibeju-Lekki Youths Decry Years of Power Outage, Demand Urgent Government Action

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Communities Lament Prolonged Darkness Despite Industrial Development

The people of Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos State, particularly the youths, have raised alarm over persistent and prolonged power outages that have left several communities in darkness for years. Despite hosting some of Nigeria’s largest industrial projects, including the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Free Trade Zone, residents say they have been denied access to steady electricity, a situation they describe as both unjust and detrimental to human and economic development.

Speaking on behalf of the affected youths, Prince Muhammed Jamiu Olayinka Olukoya Jnr described the blackout as a “serious developmental barrier.” He lamented that hospitals, schools, and households are struggling without power, while small businesses depending on refrigeration and basic equipment continue to collapse. Residents revealed that some communities have been without electricity for more than six years, while others claim they have endured over a decade of blackout.

Rising Economic and Health Burdens

The absence of electricity has forced families and business owners to rely heavily on petrol and diesel generators, leading to increased living costs. Traders dealing in perishable goods suffer daily losses, while constant generator use contributes to noise and air pollution, raising fresh health concerns for already vulnerable populations.

Ambassador Olabanjo Sakiru Oriyomi, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lekki LCDA, accused both government authorities and the electricity distribution companies of deliberately neglecting the people while channelling available power to industrial installations in the axis. He stressed that such neglect deepens poverty, inequality, and frustration among the youths who are meant to benefit from the region’s rapid development.

Call for Justice and Equitable Distribution

The youths, under the umbrella of community and civic groups, are demanding urgent intervention from the Federal Government, Lagos State Government, and the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC). They insist that electricity distribution must not only serve the industrial corridor but also prioritise the local communities whose lands and resources have made these massive projects possible.

They called for immediate upgrading of power infrastructure, investment in renewable mini-grid systems, and full community involvement in energy planning. According to them, leaving communities in perpetual darkness while industries flourish is a gross injustice that undermines the very principles of equity and development.

Government Response and Ongoing Initiatives

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has acknowledged the crisis and promised that efforts are underway to address the situation. Reports indicate that the Lagos State Government, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is piloting an electricity cooperative model designed to bring sustainable power supply to underserved coastal and rural communities in Ibeju-Lekki.

While these plans offer hope, residents stress that they cannot afford further delays. They have urged the government to set clear timelines for delivery, insisting that restoring electricity is not just a matter of infrastructure but also of social justice and human dignity.

Conclusion

The plight of Ibeju-Lekki communities highlights a striking paradox—an area that is fast becoming Nigeria’s industrial hub remains in darkness, with its people excluded from the benefits of development. For the youths and residents, the demand is simple: light up Ibeju-Lekki, and give the people a fair share of the prosperity their land is helping to create.

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