By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
When transformers develop faults in many Nigerian communities, residents already know the burden will likely fall on them. Instead of expecting quick intervention from electricity authorities, people often begin contributing money to repair damaged transformers, replace cables, and restore the power supply themselves.
This reality recently played out in General Alagbado, Lagos, where residents reportedly imposed a ₦20,000 levy on landlords after a faulty transformer left the community in darkness for more than a week. For many Nigerians, the incident reflects a growing national problem that has quietly become normalized across various neighborhoods.
In many areas, residents say refusing to contribute to repairs can leave entire neighborhoods without electricity for months. Because of repeated delays from electricity distribution companies, communities now see self-funded repairs as the fastest way to escape prolonged blackouts, even though many families are already struggling with inflation and rising living costs.
The situation continues to place heavy pressure on households and small businesses. Traders spend more on fuel for generators, and families endure sleepless nights caused by the heat, while economic activities slow down during outages.
Despite paying electricity bills and taxes, many Nigerians still find themselves financing public power infrastructure with their personal funds.
Although the Federal Government has introduced reforms in the power sector, many residents argue that the impact is yet to be felt at the grassroots level. Complaints about poor maintenance, slow responses to faults, and unstable electricity supply remain widespread across the country.
The experience of General Alagbado highlights a deeper problem within Nigeria’s electricity sector, one where ordinary citizens increasingly shoulder responsibilities that should belong to formal institutions.
Until response systems improve and accountability becomes stronger, many communities may continue facing the same difficult choice, contribute money for repairs themselves or remain in darkness indefinitely.