It is no surprise that Nigeria suffers from one of the most precarious power supplies in Africa. Despite being a nation rich in resources, at least 50% of its population has access to the national grid, which is frequently surpassed by power outages, making dependence on electricity a true nightmare.
This is the unfortunate reality for much of Nigeria, where a reliable electricity supply remains a distant dream for millions. Despite being one of Africa’s largest economies, the country grapples with a chronic energy crisis, hindering economic growth and adversely impacting the daily lives of its citizens.
Only around 50% of Nigerians have access to this grid, and even for those fortunate enough to have a power supply at home, power outages are frequent. In some regions, electricity from the grid is practically non-existent, forcing residents and businesses to rely on expensive and polluting private generators.
This lack of reliable power presents a major obstacle to Nigeria’s development. Businesses struggle with lost productivity and additional costs due to generator dependence. Homes face frequent disruptions, impacting everything from education and healthcare to basic daily activities. The economic and social consequences of this energy crisis are undeniable.
Radio and Television: Businesses Affected by Power Outages
In this situation, radio and television stations face a nightmare every day when trying to broadcast their daily programs. Chrisgod Akindele, a young media director in a renowned marketing agency in Lagos, remembered the nightmare he lived when, in 2015, he thought he would lose his job during a crisis that few radio stations faced due to power cuts.
“That happened back in 2015. I was there, and I can say I thought I was going to lose my job,” says Akindele, who was part of the team of Beat FM, a Radio Station in Lagos that had to shut down for a couple of hours due to fuel/diesel scarcity. He left this station and the other two in Lagos to make a public announcement about this decision while the studio managed to keep finding Diesel to keep running operations.
“It happened a couple of hours back, but this situation was present during the previous week. Back in those days, there was a drought of fuel, and to keep running this kind of business, you need a reliable source to keep broadcasting on air. I remember that MNT (A giant in telecommunications) also made a public announcement about ceasing operations for a couple of hours, and I thought that things were serious for a giant like that to suffer from Diesel scarcity”.
In the face of Nigeria’s challenging electricity situation, radio and television stations have had to adapt and develop strategies to continue their businesses running. As Akindele explained, even big companies like MNT rely on alternative sources of energy like generators because the power supply is unreliable. Their situation was caused by the scarcity of diesel, which meant this was a vital resource to keep running the business.
“Almost 9 years have passed, and despite the power supply being different than that time, it is still in a precarious situation, and if you pretend to run a business putting trust on the electric power supply, sadly your business will not last”.
Akindele, now in a marketer role, also added how new reliable and alternative sources have become a beacon of hope for many businesses in Lagos. “Here in the agency, we have an inverter battery, a device with enough power to run the whole floor and all departments. I have been here 4 years already, and I can tell you that with this inverter, I have not faced any power outages during my working hours. I work 8 hours a day, and I can be relaxed knowing that my work will not be delayed by external factors like a power outage”
Theoretically, the maximum amount of power Nigeria could produce is 12,500MW, but the country normally produces just a quarter of that. Current President Bola Tinubu has promised to improve supply by allowing state governments to build their own power plants. However, while things improve, Nigerians will keep relying on alternative sources to keep running their daily operations.
Switch to a Brighter Future
Nigeria’s unreliable electricity supply poses a major challenge for homes and businesses alike. Inverter batteries like the ones we offer in Starplus are a potential solution, providing you backup power during outages and offering relief from the constant struggle with generators.
Overall, inverter batteries are a promising solution for Nigerians grappling with an unreliable electricity supply. They provide backup power, reduce generator dependence, and are environment friendly. However, it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget before investing in a system.
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With Star Plus inverter batteries, say goodbye to the constant anxiety and stress of power outages. No more scrambling to light candles or sweltering in the heat during this season in Nigeria.
The switch to inverter batteries is an investment that leads to a more comfortable, predictable, and, ultimately, less stressful life. Embrace the future of power security and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a reliable backup system. Contact us now and see how your quality of life will improve with our batteries.