Up NEPA: Stories From The Nigerian Power Struggle.

If you are a Nigerian, born and raised here in Nigeria, whatever tribe you are, you will definitely know these two words: UP NEPA. Why won't you know the only word being screamed by everyone when light comes? At that time everybody's mood changes, you plug in your phone and power bank, and you see mothers rushing to the kitchen to put on the electric cooker; that's when you bring out your clothes to iron and all. Here, even though electricity should be a right and what we should be enjoying, it is not so; anytime it comes, we are filled with joy.

While growing up, to us darkness was normal. We made use of lanterns and such; we don't even expect light at any time. That is why when it comes suddenly, we are always happy. At least we know we won't be sweating while taking care of the mosquitos buzzing around at night. You know you could iron enough clothes to last you a week or so. There was a time we experienced total blackouts for about six months, and then we knew we shouldn't even expect light at all. Our transformer blew, and it wasn't something small. Some families then bought generators, some installed solar and we that couldn't afford either, we lived that way.

We lived that way for a long time before finally contributing money to buy a new one. Even with that, we still pray before they bring the light. There are times they bring it and you can't even charge because it would be so low, and at times it would be so high that it keeps blowing charges and bulbs. At the end of the day, the bills these NEPA people will bring can scare the life out of someone. I don't know, maybe they don't just care if you had light or not; they just bring bills at the end of every month. Even back then, when our transformer had fault, they still brought their monthly bills, not until some youths threatened and challenged them...am difba truth, where do they see those bills they brought?

I won't say it is entirely the government’s fault, in the same way it is not entirely the citizens fault. The system is corrupted. Though most of the time, we are our own problem. Imagine someone going to the transformer to steal the copper wire. Some got caught, some got electrocuted, and some got away with it. At times when I go out and see the way some poles lean against the wall or the way some wires are being passed and connected as if it were a clothes-spreading rope. And all these are being ignored; no one wants to contribute to it, and no one is ready to repair it as well. But when something happens, we start talking about it as if it hasn't been there before.

Even with that, we live; survival is one thing Nigeria will teach you. We buy candles, save for solar, buy generators, get rechargeable lamps, and such. Electricity here, for me, is not dependable. We keep hoping things will change. Since the beginning of this year, I have been ironing my clothes down, as many as I can each time light comes, at least once a week. Or what would you have me do? 😔

I must commend whoever it is that came up with this topic. Electricity distribution/supply is the perfect phrase for..."navigating the ups and downs". The absence of light has even helped us know each other better in the community. Most families sit out till it's late in the night before going home; some even cook outside. You see people listening to their radio while fanning themselves outside. You see them joke and relate with each other, especially when it's news time...oh no. And if at that moment light finally comes, rejoicing begins, just that these days, we often wait a few minutes to be sure if it has come to stay.

In my area, electricity is not stable, and it is also not cheap. But even in the darkest night, we laugh, we eat, we relate, and we keep going. Maybe one day, the light will be stable, we keep hoping, but until then...we will keep navigating the ups and downs.

All pictures were generated using AI.

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