Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the latest collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid, describing it as a continuation of what he called a worsening national embarrassment in the electricity sector.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Obi lamented that the grid collapse recorded in January 2026 mirrors a troubling pattern seen in previous years.
> “In January 2025, we witnessed the first grid collapse of that year, which was followed by several other collapses. Now in January, 2026 the national shame has commenced with yesterday’s collapse.”
Obi expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s persistent electricity crisis, noting that the country has ranked at the bottom globally in access to power for three consecutive years.
> “It is utterly disappointing that for three consecutive years—from 2023 to 2025—our nation has been ranked as having the least access to electricity globally, with nearly 100 million citizens left without power.”
Nigeria Lags Behind African Peers
Drawing comparisons with other African nations, the former Anambra State governor highlighted the stark contrast between Nigeria’s power generation capacity and that of countries with smaller populations.
> “When we compare our situation to other African nations, the disparity is stark. South Africa, with its population of about 64 million, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts. Egypt, with about 115 million population, also generates over 40,000 megawatts. Algeria, with around 48 million population, generates and distributes over 50,000 megawatts.”
He described Nigeria’s output as grossly inadequate for a country of its size and economic potential.
> “Meanwhile, Nigeria, the giant of Africa and its most populous nation with over 240 million people, produces a mere 5,000 megawatts—an absurdly low figure that severely hampers our productivity.”
‘Power Crisis Rooted in Leadership Failure’
Obi attributed the recurring grid collapses and weak power supply to poor leadership, stressing that the electricity sector requires expertise, commitment, and accountability.
> “This power crisis is a direct result of continuous leadership failures. The power sector is critical and requires competent and committed leadership to thrive.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Obi urged Nigerians to make leadership choices based on competence and empathy rather than sentiment.
> “As we look towards 2027, Nigeria must prioritise competence and empathy in its leadership. It is time to elect individuals with the capacity and dedication necessary to initiate a significant turnaround for our nation. Anything less is unacceptable.”