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Despite the increase in power generation, customers in Kaduna, Katsina and Kano states are complaining of low supply of electricity to meet their needs.

Daily Trust reports that the rainy season is always a period when Nigerians enjoy electricity due to hydro power plants operating at their maximum capacity over availability of resources.

However, some sources in the electricity sector told the Daily Trust that despite the teething problems of distribution occasioned by vandalism and lack of willingness for some people to pay their bills, the DisCos are doing a lot to bridge the gap.

The sources said they always try to balance the distribution of the available electricity between industrial areas and metred locations that are willing to pay for the power they receive and other residential locations.

‘The issue of Band A, Band B, Band C and others is known to everyone. It is therefore disingenuous to generalise that there is no supply of electricity,’ one of the sources said.

In Katsina State, erratic power supply has taken a toll on businesses, rendering thousands of business owners jobless and subjecting them to untold hardship. Residential buildings are also suffering as many homes go without power for days.

Residents in the state have been suffering continuously from the erratic power shortage, constant low voltage when it is available, as well as causing damages and losses to business owners.

Bakeries, welding and fabrication factories, shop owners and other macro and micro businesses that require power to survive are the most affected, aside residential buildings.

Even when there is power supply, people experience low voltage such that they cannot power electrical appliances, Daily Trust gathered. Business owners are devising alternatives for survival.

Government and private institutions are also forced to revert to alternative source of energy like solar power to reduce the burden of over relying on the conventional source of power which is irregular.

Some business owners and electricity consumers such as Dr. Isma’il Balarabe said they have been struggling to survive under excessive power shortages in Katsina State.

Balarabe said, ‘Our businesses have crashed, we have incurred losses due to that. Sometimes, we don’t have power supply up to one hour.’

Another affected customer, Dr. Muktar Alkasim, who stated that the epileptic power supply has been persistent in Katsina State, noted that the situation had crippled businesses across all sectors of human endeavours.

‘In my view, we don’t have electricity that can run any business no matter how small it is. Places where you can find electricity, it only comes once in a while and it cannot power any appliance due to low voltage.’

In the same vein, Mrs. Ngozi Anosike, who is a shop owner dealing in soft drinks said her business has collapsed, forcing her to resort to menial jobs in her neighbourhood. She said there was an urgent need to address the problem.

Ngozi said, ‘Sometimes, we spend more than seven to ten days without electricity and when it comes, it hardly stays for an hour. Oftentimes, it comes with low voltage which cannot power anything.’

Hajiya Hannatu also lamented that she can no longer preserve food items in the fridge due to the situation.

‘I can no longer buy meat or fish in bulk because they will get bad due to the poor power supply. Even when you have power, the voltage is too low to carry the fridge’, she said.

Kano residents decry uneven electricity distribution

In Kano, Daily Trust gathered that there is a growing disparity in electricity supply.

Commercial zones that pay higher tariffs reportedly enjoy longer hours of power, while many residential areas are left in darkness for most parts of the day.

Ahmad Aminu, a resident of Naibawa quarters in Kano metropolis, described the situation as frustrating.

‘Before, during the rainy season, we used to get more hours of electricity because of the rise in water levels at hydro stations. But this year, it is different.

‘Now, they bring the power around 11 or 12 midnight and take it by 5 or 6 in the morning, even though we use prepaid meters,’ he said.

Yusuf Idris, another resident from Kuntau, expressed similar concerns. He noted that despite a steep increase in monthly payments, the supply has worsened.

‘They used to collect around N5,000 from us monthly. But in the last two months, it jumped to over N17,000, a hike of over 300 per cent. Yet, we are getting fewer hours than before,’ Idris lamented.

He added that the hike has led to mass disconnections in the area, with many households turning to solar energy as an alternative.

‘A lot of people are saying they won’t reconnect to the national grid again,’ he said.

However, industries and businesses that pay millions in electricity bills appear to be benefiting from the new arrangement.

Sama’ila Sulaiman, who runs a small ice block business at Farm Centre, said his firm now enjoys up to 22 hours of steady power supply.

‘We were told that after increasing tariffs for customers on estimated billing, many were disconnected. So now, they’re giving us more electricity because we pay more,’ Sulaiman explained.

Our supply stable but wind, rainfall affecting electricity poles – KEDCO

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) Sani Bala Sani, said evidence shows there is stable power supply in its franchise areas of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa.

He, however, said due to the rainy season there is disruption of electricity in some areas due to fall of electricity poles caused by strong winds.

‘Some customers might be in darkness for a short period of time as it takes some time to fix it. Secondly, there is preventive maintenance by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which we announced to our customers, but contributed to the shortfall in electricity load to our franchise areas. Also, the recent strike by PENGASSAN also led to low supply,’ he said.

He added that the company is making massive investments to improve its operations and customers’ experience by upgrading its infrastructure and investing in solar energy for reliable electricity in the states.

‘We are upgrading our network to make sure that customers will not be affected when there is wind and rainfall. Secondly, we are investing heavily in renewable energy. Currently, we have plants that are already operational.

‘We have Haske Solar in Kano which we have already started utilising and it is purely solar; for us to be able to augment our supply. So, whenever there is an issue with the power generation companies, it can serve as a backup and protect our customers.’

‘With our level of investments, we are hoping that by the end of next year, we will have a minimum of 150 megawatts of our own solar generation,’ he said.

A cold room in Kano

Kaduna

Residents of Tudun Wada in Kaduna South Local government have lamented the low supply of electricity since September.

For Hadiza Adam, her sachet water business has been greatly affected due to the low supply of electricity.

Hadiza, whose shop is located at the popular Bakin Dogo Market said the few hours electricity is available in the night when everyone is asleep so she only sells what was refrigerated during the period.

‘My profit is always limited as I don’t can only sell cold water in the fridge during this period. So, when it finishes, there is no opportunity to sell more. This is affecting my profit and despite the economic potential of the area, we keep making losses’, she said.

Another resident, Muhammed Ahmed, said the lack of adequate power supply in the area has deprived him of entertaining himself as he no longer subscribes to his satellite network.

‘The electricity is only available around 1 am and they take it from 6 am. We are not vigilantes to be getting electricity at such odd hours. The annoying thing is that every month they bring bills for us to pay and they are saying we owe them thousands of naira as unpaid bills. We hope the government will do better,’ he said.

Right now, in some communities in Kaduna State, residents are facing serious electricity problems. Unlike previous years, they no longer enjoy regular power supply in their homes. Areas such as Tudun Wada, Unguwar Sanusi, Sabon Gari, Tudun Nufawa, Rigasa, Hayin Dan Manni, Hayin Malam Bello, Zango, Kinkinau, Unguwar Kanyawa, and Abakwa, among others, have been in darkness because of poor electricity.

Most residents in these places complain that they hardly get electricity, and when they do, it only lasts for one to three hours in a day. Some people even spend several days without power at all. This has affected small businesses like welders and cold drink sellers who depend on electricity to survive.

Our correspondent reports that people now spend money to recharge their phones at private charging spots and fetch drinking water from neighbours who use boreholes powered by generators.

Some have started turning to solar energy to pump water due to the poor power supply, it was gathered.

Households say they are already used to not having light, yet at the end of the month, electricity bills still come, charging them for power they never enjoyed.

Badamasi Isa, a resident of Hayin Dan Manni, said their community has not had regular power for the past seven months.

According to him, ‘We only get two to three hours of electricity during the day, and since February 2025, we haven’t had electricity at night.’

He explained that this has destroyed businesses in the area, especially for cold drink sellers and welders who cannot afford solar power.

Because of the darkness, residents have even organised vigilantes to protect their shops and communities from criminals, Daily Trust gathered.

Another resident, Mustapha Baban Sultan of Millennium City Estate, stated that in Nigeria today, only the rich benefits from the electricity system.

He added, ‘We are now in a capitalist system where money does everything. Communities with wealthy residents are placed on ‘Band A’ and receive steady power, but they pay heavily for it. Meanwhile, poor communities without prepaid meters hardly get electricity, yet they are still billed.’

He lamented that life is becoming harder for ordinary Nigerians. ‘In the past, you don’t have to be rich to send your child to a good school. Today, if you want your child to learn, you must take him to an expensive private school. If you want clean water, you must drill your own borehole. If you want electricity, you must install solar. It’s now a case of ‘the more money you have, the better life you live.”

This electricity crisis, residents argue, needs urgent government attention because millions of poor people are suffering.

A senior member of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KADelectric) said the low supply in the state was due to vandalism and wind that affected a transmission line that supplies electricity to Kaduna Town.

The staff, who does not want to be named, stated that this had led to some communities not having electricity for days while others got rationed electricity.

He added that the repair will soon be completed and the residents will get electricity as they used to.

Why North gets lower electricity allocation

A check on the website of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) yesterday showed that 4,025.00 megawatt of electricity was generated on the grid. 1,491 is allocated to the four DisCos that distribute electricity to the region.

A breakdown showed that Abuja Disco got 616MW, Jos Disco received 227MW, Kaduna Disco, 260MW, Kano Disco, 271 and Yola Disco, 117MW.

A source at the TCN who does not want his name in print as he is not allowed to speak with the press, said there has always been agreement on electricity allocation to DisCos.

The source stated that despite this agreement, DisCos sometimes reject load allocation because they lack capacity to distribute to their customers.

‘This happens due to lack of investment in the distribution network as the companies have refused to invest in infrastructures to carry this load,’ he said.

For the North, he said DisCos complain of customers not paying for electricity which explains why the region gets lower allocation.

‘DisCos in the North are the least bankable in terms of revenue. If you can recall, all the DisCos were placed under receivership because the owners could not repay the loan they used to buy them. This is due to customers not paying their revenue. If they should collect more load, who will pay for the electricity when customers are not paying?’ he asked.

‘It is only Abuja DisCo that can boast of more revenue and we all know this is because they have rich customers. So, the issue is multipronged, with customers and DisCos at fault.’

‘Lack of industries, energy theft contributing to lower electricity allocation’

Speaking with Daily Trust, the President of Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Olubiyo, said the issue of lower allocation of electricity to the North stems from inability to have a large number of industries, energy theft and lack of investments in distribution networks.

He explained that industrial hubs in the North used to be in Kano, Maiduguri and Kaduna, but that over the years and due to the collapse of the industries, the base load demand reduced.

Olubiyo said there are virtually no major industries that consume energy like the past.

‘So, primarily we are left with Kano. But the major challenge that we have there is that the system operation in the Kano corridor, the network does not have the right kind of equipment on the grid that’s supposed to be embedded to manage the priority of the DisCo as electricity is not segmented in Band A, Band B, Band C, from the point of generation to transmission. It is at the distribution level that we have band A.’

He added that DisCos in turn prioritise areas where they can recoup their funds for more electricity as there are some areas where DisCos can’t recoup 30 per cent of their revenue even if they provide 24 hours power supply.

‘That’s why you see most of the DisCos across the world, even where energy is available, we have what we call load rejection because they are benchmarking what they can take. So, they look at the commercial viability of their customers. For instance, apart from the Kano metropolis and the state capital, most of the places in the northern region, assessment has shown there are large bypasses of meters including areas resided by the rich.

‘So the issue is that of energy theft, load rejection and the dearth of the right kind of equipment that’s supposed to be used in the management of grid network, system operation and control,’ he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the National Assembly to speed up work on electoral reform proposals to avoid uncertainty in preparations for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the appeal yesterday in Abuja while receiving the European Union (EU) Election Observation Follow-up Mission, led by Mr. Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament.

Yakubu, who is approaching the last weeks of his second and last tenure, said early passage of amendments to the Electoral Act would ensure smooth planning for the polls.

‘We appeal to the National Assembly for an expeditious consideration of the electoral reform proposal. An early passage of law is critical to our planning for the elections,’ he said.

‘Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the Commission as the election draws nearer,’ he added.

The INEC Chairman explained that the commission had acted on the recommendations addressed directly to it in the EU’s 2023 report.

‘Action has been taken on aspects of the recommendations that only require administrative action to implement. Similarly, action is being taken on cross-cutting recommendations that require collective action between INEC and other bodies and stakeholders while waiting for the conclusion of the ongoing legal review by the National Assembly,’ he said.

In his remarks, Mr Barry Andrews praised Nigeria’s importance in global democracy, describing the 2023 EU mission as one of the largest deployments to any country.

‘Our task is to assess progress made in implementing the recommendations from the 2023 elections. We have noted significant improvements in several areas, though some challenges remain, particularly those requiring judicial, administrative, and constitutional reforms,’ he said.

As Nigeria marks her 65th Independence Anniversary in 2025, the mood across the nation is not one of triumph but of tension. For many young Nigerians, this milestone is less about celebrating progress and more about confronting the bitter truth of unfulfilled promises. From underfunded schools in rural villages to urban centers where survival requires daily hustling, the same question echoes: What does the Nigerian Dream look like today? For too many, the Nigerian Dream seems invisible – if it exists at all.

The Nigerian Dream cannot be borrowed from foreign models of white-picket fences or suburban comfort. For us, it must mean a life of dignity, opportunity, and contribution where citizens have a chance to earn a decent living through honest work, have access to education and skills that unlock potential, enjoy freedom from fear, hunger, and systemic neglect, and possess the ability to build, create, and leave a legacy.

But this dream often clashes with Nigeria’s current realities: failing schools, an economy strained by inflation and unemployment, and institutions too slow or unwilling to reform. The result is widespread disillusionment – especially among the youth, who make up over 60 per cent of our population.

Yet, hidden in plain sight, there is a tool that can help us reclaim agency. Ironically, it is the very subject many young Nigerians fear most: mathematics.

Mathematics is not simply a classroom subject. It is a way of thinking – about problems, possibilities, and progress. It teaches us to identify patterns in chaos, ask the right questions before making decisions, measure progress with clarity, and break big problems into solvable steps. As the late Professor Chike Obi, the first Nigerian to receive a PhD in Mathematics, demonstrated, mathematics can shine even in the hardest conditions. At a recent event, distinguished academic Ibidapo-Obe declared: ‘Mathematics is fundamental to all other disciplines . it is very important to have a calculative and analytical mind where everything has to be measured; the economy has to be measured, productivity has to be measured .’ He urged young people not to shy away from mathematics. Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika, a former Permanent Secretary , reminds us: ‘The biggest impediment to a progressive society is a malnourished mind, and the best medicine for a malnourished mind is education.’

In a nation where dreams are often dismissed as unrealistic, Mathematics provides both the logic and the structure to transform disillusionment into empowerment. Too many Nigerian youth believe, ‘I can’t do math.’ We face real obstacles such as math anxiety and poor teaching that leave many students convinced they ‘can’t do math.’ Added to this is the issue of digital divides in the education sector. This divide means that millions of young people lack stable electricity, reliable internet access, or digital devices. Systemic neglect – from diversion of funds to infrastructure decay – further proves that personal effort cannot and must not replace the need for sound policies and functioning institutions. These barriers matter. Unless we face them, mathematics risks sounding like an abstract ideal instead of a practical tool.

So how do we build the Nigerian Dream with mathematics? How do we move from possibility to practice? We should begin from the foundational level by making mathematics not just a classroom subject, but a national strategy for empowerment. Femi Gbajabiamila, speaking on grooming young people to be leaders rather than dependents, once said: ‘For me, youth empowerment is the real empowerment because it prepares you for the future.’ By reframing the narrative of mathematics, we should move successfully from fear to freedom. Learners at all levels will then realise that mathematics is not punishment, rather, it is power.

Equally, there is a need for teachers of mathematics at all levels to understand that they have a duty to teach the subject as an empowerment tool. Mathematics teachers especially those at the foundational level must be trained not just in content but also in pedagogy that builds problem-solving, curiosity, and resilience. There should be recognition, rewards, and funding for those using mathematics to solve real-life problems through mathematics-driven innovation challenges. Parents also have a stake in helping their children see this. And importantly, the media must, as a matter of national development, present mathematics as a tool for solving life problems such as budgeting, farming, and trading – not merely as a subject for passing exams.

Another important point is that the government, in collaboration with private organisations, companies, and non-governmental groups, must ensure that digital tools are not only available but accessible. This can be achieved by expanding low-cost access to digital resources. Offline math resources – such as booklets, radio programmes, and community learning hubs – must also reach rural and underserved communities. Youth should be taught to use math to run micro-businesses, organise community projects, and plan personal goals. Civic groups can apply statistics and data analysis to hold leaders accountable. Policymakers must integrate financial literacy, data literacy, and problem-solving into school curricula. Community leaders and private sector partners should sponsor math-driven innovation challenges that reward practical solutions. Progress must be measured not only in exam pass rates but also in how mathematics improves income, reduces waste, and inspires entrepreneurship.

At 65, Nigeria’s future cannot be sustained by slogans or symbols alone. Patriotism today must be about building where things are broken, teaching where knowledge is missing, and creating where opportunities are denied. Mathematics, often dismissed as irrelevant, is in truth a liberation strategy. It gives us the ability to design the Nigerian Dream ourselves, instead of waiting for it to be handed down from above.

Because sometimes, the best way to fix a broken nation is to first fix how its citizens think, plan, and act. And that begins with logic. With structure. With mathematics. If Nigeria is to move from disillusionment to empowerment, we must reclaim mathematics – not as a subject, but as a strategy. As a people, we owe that to ourselves.

The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has rewarded Team Edo with the sum of N10 million for their outstanding performance at the 9th National Youth Games held in Asaba, Delta State.

Team Edo finished third overall, behind Team Lagos (second) and Team Bayelsa (first), after winning 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze medals.

Receiving the athletes at Government House in Benin City, alongside his deputy Denis Idahosa, Governor Okpebholo praised the team’s resilience, dedication, and impressive achievements.

‘I congratulate our team for putting in their best and securing third position with 33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze medals. This is an impressive achievement. But, I challenge you to do more and put in your best to claim first position in the next edition. Edo deserves first place, and with commitment and discipline, we will get there,’ the governor said.

He explained that the N10 million cash reward was in recognition of the athletes’ dedication and resilience, stressing that their efforts had brought pride and honour to Edo State.

‘For your efforts, I am pleased to reward you with the sum of N10 million. I believe with harder training, greater victories await Edo,’ he added.

Governor Okpebholo further assured the athletes of continuous government support but urged them to show greater commitment in future competitions.

‘My administration will continue to support you, but I want to see stronger dedication and more commitment in the coming years,’ he noted.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, commended the governor for his unwavering support of sports development.

He highlighted that Governor Okpebholo’s prioritization of athletes’ welfare was key to the team’s improved outing.

‘With continued government support, Edo athletes will surpass their current achievement and position the State as a dominant force in national sports,’ Enabulele said.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has raised an alarm over the deepening crisis in the Sahel region, warning that the conflict poses a major threat to Nigeria’s security and stability.

He urged greater regional cooperation to confront insurgents and criminal groups who exploit porous borders.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of Exercise Haske Biyu, a multinational security training organised by the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, General Musa stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be solved by unilateral action.

‘The crisis in the Sahel is intensifying, and the enemies we face do not respect national borders,’ he said. ‘If we hold on to our borders alone, we will continue to suffer. But if we unite and work across, it makes it better.’

Citing the Multinational Joint Task Force in Chad, Musa noted that collaboration between neighbouring countries had proven effective in combating insurgents who move freely across borders.

He insisted that such partnerships remain essential to restoring peace in the region.

‘At the end of the day, the only thing we must do is to look for the bad guys and take them out. That is the only way we can have peace,’ he declared.

The Defence Chief also highlighted the need for civil-military cooperation, urging local communities to deny criminals safe havens. ‘Once communities deny these elements the ability to stay, they will not be able to stand,’ he explained.

General Musa warned personnel to remain professional, free of corruption and partisan influence, stressing that discipline and integrity were key to defeating armed groups.