- Ambassador Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu reported that Northern Nigeria has lost an estimated ₦1.5 trillion due to widespread blackouts, which have aggravated economic and security challenges.
- He urged the government to address the power crisis, emphasising that reliable electricity is essential for human rights, security, and socio-economic stability.
Ambassador Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, Country Director of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC-RFT) for Nigeria, reported that Northern Nigeria has incurred an estimated ₦1.5 trillion in economic losses due to widespread blackouts over the past week. In a statement from Kano, Adamu emphasised that the ongoing power outages are exacerbating the region’s existing economic and security challenges, disrupting essential services and daily life for its 100 million residents.
He expressed deep concern over the government’s lack of response to the crisis, highlighting the severe human rights implications of prolonged power instability. “Reliable electricity is a basic right, essential for security, health, education, and economic stability,” Adamu stated, urging the government to take prompt action as the situation worsens, increasing social vulnerabilities and security risks.
On the security front, Adamu noted that inadequate lighting and disrupted communication channels leave communities more susceptible to crime, and the instability of power creates conditions ripe for conflict and unrest. He stressed that access to electricity is vital for maintaining human dignity and socio-economic rights, aligning with the UN’s recognition of energy access as fundamental to modern human rights.
The ambassador pointed out that the outages affect essential services, including safe water, refrigeration, and sanitation, adversely impacting families, students, and businesses. To address these pressing issues, Adamu called for sustainable solutions, advocating for investment in decentralised and renewable energy sources and the development of regional power infrastructure per the Nigeria Electricity Act to lessen dependency on the national grid.
“These blackouts highlight the urgent need for energy reforms in Northern Nigeria,” he concluded, underscoring the necessity for immediate action to stabilise the region and improve the quality of life for its residents.