Political accountability is one of the cornerstones of true democracy. Citizens elect their political leaders on the basis of their promises to the electorate, their policy proposals, and their assurances that citizens’ lives would improve under their watch. When those promises are made, voters expect that elected officials would implement them diligently and transparently. It is their right. Citizens have a responsibility to assess government performance not through blind loyalty or partisan sentiment, but through the realities they experience in their daily lives. In Nigeria today, many citizens are precisely engaged in that exercise as they evaluate the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
On 22 December 2022, for example, President Tinubu made an important promise to the people of Nigeria during a business lunch he had in Lagos. He promised to give them reliable electricity within four years and reportedly told them that if he failed, they should not vote him in for a second tenure. It was a solemn promise. There was every evidence that Tinubu knew the importance of 24/7elecdtricity supply to every nook and cranny of the country. There was evidence that he knew what that promise would mean, not only to Nigerian citizens at home but also to wealthy Nigerian Diasporas who had for ages wanted to return home to establish in their original country and help to develop it. Tinubu knew that the issue of electricity in Nigeria was not a joking matter. And possibly he believed that Nigerians would believe in him. And they did. But now, it appears from every indication that he failed to deliver that promise to Nigerians. So, what are the citizens supposed to do? Take him on his word and refuse him a second tenure or snub his promise and still vote him in for a second tenure? That is the dilemma of the Nigerian voter right now.
One thing that is clear from that incident of promising and failing is President Tinubu’s flagrant disregard for the people he has led for these four years. Everyone knows that it is not so easy for the head to manage even a family, not to talk of a country as vast and complex as Nigeria. There must be challenges. So, even if the President had challenges along the way that impeded him from keeping his promise to his people, and knowing what constant electricity means in any country, including Nigeria, at least he would have considered it necessary to make a nation-wide television broadcast at some point to explain the nature of his challenges to Nigerians and why he may not be able to guarantee 24/7 electricity in four years. At least, Nigerians would have known that their President has respect for them. But he failed to do so, showing that he had a capacity to take his fellow Nigerians for granted.
The expectations that accompanied the 2023 presidential election were substantial. Nigerians were confronted by persistent insecurity, unemployment, rising poverty, inadequate infrastructure, an unstable economy, and a chronic electricity crisis that had endured through successive administrations. During the campaign, there was widespread hope that a government led by a politician with decades of public service experience would bring fresh energy and practical solutions to these longstanding challenges. It was not that the citizens expected a miracle to happen. They only needed to see evidence of progress and a feeling that their country was moving in a more positive direction. Among the most important expectations was the promise of improved electricity supply that Tinubu made to them.
Reliable electricity supply is not a convenience by any stretch of imagination. It is a fundamental requirement for economic growth, industrial productivity, educational advancement, healthcare delivery, and the overall quality of the lives of Nigerian citizens. For decades, Nigerian households and businesses have endured unreliable power supply that forced them to depend heavily on generators and alternative energy sources. The financial burden imposed by this situation had affected both large industries and small businesses, many of which struggled to survive under the weight of energy costs.
If Nigeria were to achieve uninterrupted 24-hour electricity across the country, it would represent one of the most transformative developments in the country’s modern history. The impact would extend far beyond simply keeping lights on in homes. It would affect economic growth, education, healthcare, security, industrial production, foreign investment, and the daily quality of life of more than 200 million people. It would also reshape how Nigerians in the Diaspora view investment opportunities and the future of their homeland.
For ordinary Nigerians, constant electricity would immediately reduce the financial burden imposed by unreliable power supply. Millions of households currently spend significant portions of their income on petrol, diesel, generators, inverters, batteries, and maintenance costs. Families would save money that could be redirected toward education, healthcare, housing improvements, and small business ventures. Students would be able to study at night without interruption, while workers could comfortably perform remote jobs from home. Refrigerators, fans, air conditioners, and household appliances would function continuously, improving comfort, food preservation, and overall living standards. Even employment opportunities would be enhanced tremendously as citizens can then work two or three shifts as it is done in advanced democracies.
The business sector would experience a revolution. Small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, would benefit enormously. Tailors, welders, barbers, printers, bakers, cold-room operators, and countless other entrepreneurs would no longer depend on expensive generators to operate their businesses. Production costs would decline, profitability would increase, and many enterprises would expand their operations. New businesses would emerge in sectors previously constrained by inadequate power supply.
Manufacturing industries would become more competitive both locally and internationally. The cost of producing goods in Nigeria has long been inflated by self-generated electricity. Constant power would reduce operational expenses, improve productivity, and encourage manufacturers to increase output. Companies that relocated operations to neighbouring countries because of power challenges might reconsider Nigeria as a preferred destination. The resulting expansion in industrial activity could create millions of jobs and stimulate economic growth.
The healthcare sector would also witness dramatic improvements. Hospitals and clinics would enjoy reliable operation of critical equipment such as incubators, oxygen concentrators, laboratory machines, and surgical facilities. Vaccines and medicines requiring refrigeration would be stored safely without fear of spoilage. Medical personnel would be able to provide better services, particularly in rural communities where electricity shortages often compromise healthcare delivery. The result would definitely be improved health outcomes and reduced mortality rates.
Education would benefit at every level. Schools and universities would gain access to uninterrupted digital learning resources, internet connectivity, computer laboratories, and research facilities. Teachers and students could utilize modern educational technologies without disruption. Young Nigerians pursuing careers in technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, and digital services would be better positioned to compete globally.
Reliable electricity would significantly improve national security. Well-lit streets and communities often deter criminal activity. Security agencies would have better access to surveillance systems, communication infrastructure, and the technological tools that would be necessary for effective policing. Communities would feel safer, particularly during night time hours.
The information technology and digital economy sectors would expand rapidly. Nigeria already possesses one of Africa’s largest technology ecosystems. Continuous electricity would allow technology startups, software developers, data centres, fintech companies, and online businesses to operate more efficiently. The country could strengthen its position as a leading technology hub on the continent while it attracts international partnerships and investments.
For Nigerians living abroad, uninterrupted electricity would fundamentally alter perceptions of investment risk. Many members of the Diaspora possess substantial financial resources and maintain emotional ties to their country of origin. However, concerns about infrastructure deficiencies, especially electricity, often discourage major investments. Reliable power would increase confidence in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, education, and information technology.
Diaspora professionals might also become more willing to return permanently or establish branches of their businesses in Nigeria. Engineers, doctors, academics, entrepreneurs, and technology specialists would contribute their expertise more effectively in an environment that is supported by dependable infrastructure. Increased Diaspora engagement will not only bring capital to the country, but also valuable international experience, innovation, and global networks.
Had the President Tinubu kept his promise to deliver nationwide 24-hour electricity, it would have been one of the most consequential achievements of any government since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. Such an accomplishment would have visible and measurable effects on economic performance, employment, investment inflows, industrial growth, and living standards. It would alter public expectations regarding governance and demonstrate that large-scale national challenges can be overcome through effective planning and execution.
The political significance would be immense, but the greater legacy would lie in the transformation of everyday life. A child studying under reliable electric light, a factory operating at full capacity, a hospital performing life-saving procedures without interruption, and an entrepreneur expanding a business without generator expenses would collectively symbolize a new era of national development.
In many ways, constant electricity would not simply be an infrastructural achievement. It would be a catalyst for unlocking Nigeria’s enormous human and economic potential, creating opportunities for citizens at home while renewing the confidence and participation of Nigerians across the world. President Tinubu knew all this, and the importance of the promise he made.
It is going to be a test case, whether or not Nigerians can ever get their political leaders to be accountable. And the world is watching.
Chief Asinugo, PhD., M.A., KSC, is a UK-based veteran journalist and author.
