In a recent post on his verified Facebook page, Jaafar Jaafar, Publisher of Daily Nigerian, expressed concerns about the ongoing blackout affecting northern Nigeria and the energy disparities between the northern and southern regions of the country.
Jaafar pointed out that the blackout is part of a broader issue. “Long before the ongoing blackout in the North, there has been an energy dichotomy between the South (particularly Southwest) and the North. This energy drought in the North has forced industries to either close or migrate to the South,” he stated.
He referenced the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) data, which reveals a significant imbalance in electricity distribution.
“Eko and Ikeja Discos get 12.94% and 15.22% respectively. This means that Lagos State alone enjoys over 28% of the nation’s electricity supply – more than the combined allocation of the entire North,” Jaafar noted.
Reflecting on the industrial decline in Kano, he lamented the loss of what was once a thriving industrial hub.
“From the 70s to late 90s, Kano was an industrial hub in Nigeria. Textile industries like Gaskiya, Holborn, and Universal, which produced export-quality products, are either closed or partially operating today. The first confectionary factory in Nigeria, Nicco Sweets, was established in Kano in 1960, but their sites today are in poor condition.”
Jaafar attributed the energy imbalance to past leadership failures. “I blame the past Northern leaders who did nothing to improve the energy imbalance and restore our industrial capacity,” he said.
As the blackout continues to disrupt lives and businesses in the North, the need for urgent action to address these energy disparities is critical.
