Adanna Akinsaya is a 30-year-old young woman, married with one kid, who lives in Oko Oba, a small district in Lagos, Nigeria. Her district has recently been included in an official report as an area of “Band C”. This means she has the “privilege” of enjoying from 12 to 16 hours of power supply.
“I have the privilege of at least living in Band C because other areas like Band E have to suffer more than 12 hours of power supply. Can you imagine having a life like that? It is difficult,” says Akinsaya, despite calling it a privilege. She also describes the frustration she faces on a daily basis.
“One day happened to be a busy one. I was going late with ironing clothes because had to prepare dinner for my husband, who came late that night, and I had recently picked up my baby at my mom´s house nearby from here, so when I arrived, I was ready to prepare meal and start to iron my clothes, but that day the power supply did not last what I expected, so instead of the usual of 16 hours, were 12 so In the middle of my task, almost night, I could not iron my clothes”.
Akinsaya remembers that day as chaotic. Since then, she has tried to do everything, trying to always “win a contest” against the power supply rationing. “It can be frustrating, yes, but I am also in a better position than those who can barely enjoy more than five hours of power supply.
Lead-acid batteries have emerged as a crucial catalyst for economic growth in major cities like Lagos. Their increased utilization for backup power opportunities, promoting Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) and inverters, has given a significant boost to the city’s growth. This economic upswing in Lagos has led to notable enhancements in infrastructure, including roads, transportation, and services, and has attracted significant corporations from different regions of Nigeria, a testament to the economic potential that lead-acid batteries bring.
My life Changed – Thanks to Inverter Battery
Ade Zulum is a young project manager who lives in Oko State, an hour from Lagos in Ogun State, the second most industrialised state after Lagos. His zone is within “Band A”, and he enjoys a power supply of 20 hours to a full day, yet this is not enough for him.
“I work 8 hours a day. Where I work, a power supply is granted due to an inverter that can withstand sudden power cuts. I asked at work about the benefits of having that in my home, and to my surprise, they also come in different prices, so I did my research and invested in one for my home,” said the 28-year-old project manager..
“To be honest, I do not regret my decision; an inverter battery helps me power my house. So, I live with no stress if a power cut happens because I have an inverter. Even with having a granted power supply, everyone knows the power situation is not reliable; an inverter is.” concluded the native of Ogun.
It is projected that cities like Lagos will increase to almost 20 million people by 2030. This is also because every year, more people leave rural areas to pursue better opportunities in major cities. Let´s not forget the fact that UPS and lead-acid batteries have become a cost-efficient choice for facing power cuts, a common problem due to the precarious power grid in Nigeria.
No Country Can Grow without Access to Electricity
In the modern era, electricity is the source of progress. Modern jobs rely on the power supply to keep up the pace of daily activities. Nigeria, unfortunately, leads the power grid to a precarious situation with nearly 93 million people lacking energy access, making the country largely dependent on alternative energy sources, primarily on diesel/petrol generators, battery backup solutions, kerosene and biomass.
This situation has impacted the battery market, which has become much bigger and more lucrative, especially for lead-acid batteries. Currently, almost all power backup solutions use lead-acid batteries primarily because of their lower cost and availability compared to other battery options.
This was the situation of Kelechi Ibekwe, a 22-year-old animator, who expressed their frustration to The Guardian of having to do all his tasks while the electricity ration came across his home in Lagos. “Light is a crucial part of my work, and basically, my house is my workspace. There’s this new policy of light from 7 pm to 7 am in my area, and that puts a strain on me – because from 7 am to 7 pm, my most productive hours, I’ll have to do something else. My work involves about 30-plus hours of non-stop computer activity. There isn’t light for 12, so we have to run our generator for six-plus hours a day” concluded Ibekwe.
This power situation is reflected across the country, where Nigerians face the cons of living with constant electricity interruptions every day.
Withstanding the Cuts with Uninterrupted Power Supplies.
In the darkness caused by the failure of the power grid in Nigeria, private companies have seen an opportunity to provide effective solutions to a frequent problem. Despite Nigerian people with a strong reliance on power generators fueled by diesel, this option has become more outdated against the realibility of lead-acid batteries.
Olawale Adetula, a 30-year-old media strategist, also expressed frustration with relying on diesel-run generators since their maintenance cannot withstand the daily routine of a young adult thriving in a constantly evolving city like Lagos.
“What do you do when it’s 30C at 11 pm, you haven’t had power for days … and your generator decides to pack up?” Adetula asks. “Oh, and you have a career-defining meeting at 8 am the next morning? Your car becomes your bedroom for the night.” expressed to the Guardian.
People like Adetula or Ibekwe have faced this precarious situation more than once in Lagos, and it is a common occurrence all over Nigeria since, in the last six years, the power grid collapsed at least 46 times, making the public power supply the least dependable system for Nigerians.
This has led people to buy any sort of UPS system since they are becoming increasingly popular and adapted to each pocket and situation, relieving the nightmare Nigerian people go through every day. Fortunately, more cities are investing in UPS systems to allow their citizens to keep taking advantage of the constant electricity supply.
This has been the case for the people of Aba, a city located in the state of Abia, in the southeast of Nigeria and almost 620 kilometres from Lagos. After the installation of a geometric power plant in February 2024, the people of Aba enjoyed at least 48 hours of uninterrupted power supply.
Electricity Leads to Progression
Lead-acid technology like Tubular Inverter batteries has become a sign of great hope and progression for Nigerians. Every day, more and more people rely on UPS systems to face the still precarious power grid solution. Inverter batteries offer a promising solution to the country´s energy problems.
Lagos has developed into a major industrial powerhouse due to its excellent transport links. The development of manufacturing and other industries has created hundreds of thousands of jobs. Nigerians will keep moving to major cities, looking for better opportunities and more easy access to power supplies. Lagos, along with other major cities, will have a high demand for services and retail, and this growth also means a reliable dependence on a power supply.
Tubular Batteries: A Solution for Every Pocket
Tubular Inverter batteries have become a solution due to their cost-effectiveness. These batteries have a long lifespan of up to 8 years and require less maintenance than other UPS alternatives. In a matter of time, you will notice that you are saving more money than spending on daily litres of Diesel.
These batteries are the solution to all the problems related to power outages. Granting you an Uninterrupted Power Supply ensures a continuous flow of energy powering houses and businesses, and the best part is that it won´t require large amounts of maintenance, also saving you repair costs.
Due to Nigeria’s power supply situation, these batteries come in different sizes, capacities, and prices, making them a budget-friendly option fitted for all pockets. Yes, the initial investment might seem high, but it is nothing compared to what you will be saving in the long term.
If you are looking for alternatives to facing power cuts in your area, we will assist you with your power needs. Remember, investing in a UPS, like a Star Plus tubular inverter battery, is also an investment in your quality of life.