Barr. Darlington Blasts Power Crisis: 200 Million People, Just 5,000MW

Abuja, Nigeria — Legal practitioner and public affairs commentator Barrister Darlington has condemned Nigeria’s persistent power crisis, describing it as a national embarrassment that continues to cripple economic growth and productivity.

Speaking during a live discussion on VOP TV, Darlington expressed frustration that despite being Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria still generates barely 5,000 megawatts of electricity — an amount grossly inadequate for its population of over 200 million people.[irp]

“A nation of over 200 million people, yet we struggle with just 5,000 megawatts of power. How are we expected to work, to grow, to thrive? What an embarrassment to this country!” Darlington exclaimed.

He noted that the lack of consistent electricity supply has paralyzed industries, increased unemployment, and forced citizens to depend on costly alternatives such as generators and fuel-powered inverters.

“Every sector — from manufacturing to education and healthcare — is suffering because of this failure. It’s shameful that after decades, we’re still talking about the same problem,” he added.

Darlington called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the power sector, insisting that without stable electricity, no real development can take place.[irp]

“If we can’t power our homes, factories, and schools, how do we compete globally? Power is the foundation of progress,” he emphasized.

Energy experts have long argued that Nigeria’s power woes stem from poor infrastructure, corruption, and weak policy implementation, urging authorities to invest more in renewable energy and transparent management of the power grid.