The International Human Rights Commission – Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT), Nigeria Chapter, has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the country’s persistent electricity challenges, describing the situation as a threat to human dignity, economic development and fundamental human rights.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Country Director of the IHRC-RFT Nigeria Chapter, Ambassador Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, the organization said Nigeria’s electricity crisis has gone beyond mere inconvenience and now constitutes a major obstacle to citizens’ well-being and progress.
He noted that access to reliable electricity is closely linked to internationally recognized human rights, including the right to an adequate standard of living, economic and social security, and accountable governance as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
According to him, essential sectors such as healthcare, education, industry, and small businesses cannot operate effectively without a stable power supply, adding that citizens should not have to rely on generators and scarce fuel to meet basic energy needs.
The IHRC-RFT Country Director also referenced reports indicating that the Presidential residence has adopted solar energy as an alternative to the national grid.
While acknowledging the benefits of renewable energy, he questioned what the development means for ordinary Nigerians who lack the financial capacity to install solar systems.
He argued that the situation raises concerns about the government’s constitutional responsibility to provide public infrastructure and ensure access to electricity for all citizens.
Amb. Adamu further reminded political leaders of previous public commitments to improve electricity supply, stressing that Nigerians would assess government performance based on tangible results ahead of future elections.
“This is not political opposition. It is constructive accountability,” he stated.
IHRC-RFT called for the implementation of a transparent and time-bound national electricity reform plan, public disclosure of the realities surrounding power generation and distribution, and the recognition of electricity access as a critical development and human rights priority.
It maintained that sustainable industrial growth and democratic accountability cannot thrive in an environment of chronic power shortages, urging authorities to take decisive action to address the challenges facing the electricity sector.
The statement concluded with a call for greater commitment to ensuring that Nigerians have access to reliable electricity, describing it as essential to national development and citizens’ welfare.
