Kebbi: Residents groan as blackout worsens, businesses under threat
Prolonged Power Outages Plague Kebbi State Communities
Kebbi State has been grappling with persistent power outages for several months, resulting in extended periods of darkness that affect local businesses and worsen living conditions. Residents in various local government areas describe the situation as an unending blackout, which has paralyzed homes, shops, and small enterprises.
Many communities report little or no electricity supply for weeks, marking the power outages as one of the state’s most pressing challenges. Small business owners, particularly those reliant on refrigeration for perishable goods, say the disruptions severely impact their livelihoods.
Musa Abdullahi, a shop owner in Badariya who sells frozen foods and beverages, explained that the blackout has led to significant financial losses. “I have been unable to preserve my goods due to the lack of electricity,” he said, adding that affording a solar system capable of supporting his appliances is beyond his reach.
Another business owner in the Kara area of Birnin Kebbi lamented declining sales and increasing operational costs. “Business has dropped seriously,” she said, noting that customers have dwindled in the absence of reliable power and that the cost of fueling generators has become prohibitively expensive for small traders.
The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), which serves Kebbi State along with Kaduna, Sokoto, and Zamfara, has been the primary operator responsible for electricity supply. However, the company has faced criticism for ongoing load shedding and inadequate power allocation to Kebbi communities.
KAEDCO has attributed its poor supply to low power allocation from the national grid, transmission constraints, and revenue shortfalls—factors it claims contribute to frequent electricity interruptions.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Kebbi State Governor approved the formation of a Multi-Stakeholders Committee in early April to address the electricity challenges in conjunction with KAEDCO. This decision followed a town hall meeting where stakeholders discussed issues related to inconsistent power supply.
The committee has been tasked with assessing the volume of electricity supplied to Kebbi State relative to payments made and services rendered, and to review billing compliance and other operational hurdles affecting distribution. However, as of now, the committee has yet to submit its official report, despite a timeline set by the government.
Initially instructed to deliver findings within two weeks of April 16, 2026, the committee’s lack of progress has left residents uncertain about potential solutions.
Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Kebbi State Governor, has expressed dissatisfaction with KAEDCO’s response to the situation. “KEDCO, wake up! People have been in darkness for days, this is unacceptable,” he urged.
Residents in affected communities have voiced frustration over prolonged outages. In Kawara, for instance, locals report being without electricity for months due to a damaged transformer, with little action from authorities. Many have also cited the high cost of solar power systems, which are necessary for operating essential appliances.
Investigations indicate that the power outage issues largely stem from neglect and inadequate infrastructure maintenance over time. Several neighborhoods, including GRA and Kara in Birnin Kebbi, are experiencing unstable or nonexistent electricity supply.
Further compounding the situation, the state government has suspended its monthly support of N150 million to KAEDCO, citing poor service delivery as the reason. Officials noted that the decision was influenced by ongoing complaints from residents and businesses about unreliable electricity supply across Kebbi State.
