Current Blackouts Highlight Energy Disparities in Northern Nigeria – Jafar,Jafar
Ace journslist, Jafar, Jafar has lamented about the current blackout plaguing northern Nigeria, emphasizing it as a symptom of a deeper energy crisis.
He made the lamentation in a recent post on his verified Facebook account.
He pointed to a stark energy dichotomy between the northern and southern regions, noting that the ongoing blackout has exacerbated long-standing issues that have led to industrial decline in the North.
Jaafar highlighted troubling statistics from the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), revealing that electricity distribution heavily favors the South, particularly Lagos. “Eko and Ikeja Discos receive 12.94% and 15.22% of the national electricity supply respectively, meaning Lagos alone benefits from over 28% of the total supply—more than the entire North combined,” he stated.
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This inequity has had dire consequences for northern industries, many of which have been forced to shut down or relocate southward in search of reliable power. Jaafar lamented the decline of Kano, which once thrived as an industrial hub. “From the 1970s to the late 1990s, Kano was a beacon of industrial activity. Factories such as Gaskiya, Holborn, and Universal produced export-quality textiles but are now either closed or operating at minimal capacity,” he said.
He pointed out the historic significance of industries in Kano, referencing the decline of Nicco Sweets, Nigeria’s first confectionery factory established in 1960.
“The conditions of these sites today are a testament to the neglect that has beset our industrial sector,” Jaafar remarked.
Reflecting on the crisis, he placed blame on past leadership in the North for failing to address these pressing energy issues. “I hold our former leaders accountable for not taking steps to rectify this imbalance and revitalize our industrial capacity,” he asserted.
