By Naija247news – Abuja, May 14, 2025 – Small business owners across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are raising alarm over the worsening power supply, which they say is crippling operations and threatening their livelihoods.
From Kubwa to Kuje, Gwagwalada, and ACO Estate, business owners lamented that epileptic electricity supply is forcing many micro-enterprises to shut down temporarily as operating costs soar due to reliance on expensive diesel and petrol generators.
Fashion Designers, Barbers, Cold Room Operators Hit Hard
Mrs. Amanda Okoye, a fashion designer in Kubwa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that power outages have left her unable to meet client deadlines.
“We’ve had no light for almost three days. I rely on a generator, but fuel is too expensive. I’ve had no choice but to close my shop until things improve,” she said.
Mr. Collins Osahon, a barber also in Kubwa, revealed that electricity is barely available for two hours daily, with most of the supply coming late at night when customers are asleep.
“I’ve had to increase prices due to fuel costs. Patronage has dropped sharply. If this continues, I’ll be forced to shut down permanently,” he said.
Kuje, Gwagwalada Businesses Struggle for Survival
In Kuje, Mr. Amos Okoduwa, a welder, said power has become unreliable, with supply limited to four to five hours daily, and some days with no electricity at all.
“I can’t feed my family if I can’t work. Government must urgently address this,” he pleaded.
Mrs. Comfort Maduka, who runs a cold room in Kuje, said she had to lock up her shop as goods continued to perish due to unstable power and the unaffordable cost of diesel.
“I am losing everything. I’m calling on the government and AEDC to fix this issue before more businesses collapse,” she said.
Mr. Okon Etim, a laundry operator in ACO Estate, described the situation as “terrible,” with power cutting off every 20 minutes.
“I had to close down my laundry business until I can afford a bigger generator,” he lamented.
Minister of Power Responds to Public Outcry
In response, Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, said the federal government remains committed to resolving Nigeria’s energy challenges.
“We acknowledge the economic hardships faced by Nigerians. Grid stabilization, infrastructure upgrades, and renewable energy investments are ongoing to improve supply,” Adelabu stated.
He urged Nigerians to report energy theft, avoid vandalism, and adopt energy-saving habits to ease pressure on the grid.
“Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, collective action and patriotism are crucial for national development,” he said.
Power Crisis: A Growing Threat to Economic Stability
Nigeria’s fragile electricity grid has long been a barrier to industrial growth, but the latest wave of outages is threatening informal sector resilience, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas of the FCT.
As businesses shut down, unemployment rises, inflation is exacerbated, and consumer confidence continues to wane — all of which undermine the nation’s economic recovery plans.
📌 Editor’s Note: For content partnerships and collaborations, reach out via editor@naija247news.com
Naija247news Media Group LLC is committed to ethical, independent journalism that serves the public interest. Our editorial process prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and transparency in reporting. All content is fact-checked and held to the highest standards of integrity. Learn more in our full editorial policy here.
© 2025 Naija247news Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from Naija247news Media Group LLC.
Reporting by Emman Tochi in Lagos, Nigeria.
