For over six months, the transformer powering a community in Gbagada, a vantage point in Lagos State located between the local governments of Kosofe and Shomolu, has been faulty, leaving residents at the mercy of expensive, noisy, and polluting alternatives.
Like many middle-class Nigerians, Adeola Balogun steps outside her home every evening to switch on her generator. The grating sound joins a chorus of others from neighbouring houses, a testament to the country’s persistent electricity crisis.
She sighs as the machine roars to life, knowing she has no other choice.
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“I’ve been using a generator for as long as I can remember,” Balogun said, wiping sweat from her brow. “My parents relied on one, and now I’m doing the same. Solar power would be ideal, but the upfront cost is just too high.”
For decades, Nigeria’s unreliable power grid has forced households like Balogun’s and businesses to rely on noisy, polluting, and expensive petrol and diesel generators.
The World Bank estimates that 43 percent of Nigeria’s population (85 million people) lack access to grid electricity, one of the largest energy access deficits globally.
Even those connected to the grid face frequent and prolonged blackouts, crippling economic activities and impacting daily life.
A missed opportunity
Solar energy offers a viable and sustainable alternative. Costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity have plummeted globally in recent years, making it increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources.
In Nigeria, however, the middle class, a demographic that should be at the forefront of this transition, is being left behind.
Godreigns Amedari, senior vice president engineering, Anergy Solar, said: “Nigeria’s abundant sunlight makes solar energy a consistently reliable power source for households and businesses. However, while technological advancements and enabling policies have made solar solutions more viable, affordability is still a major hurdle.”
“In a country where only 2.4 percent of Nigerians earn more than N200,000 per month, the cost of acquiring a suitable solar system remains out of reach for the majority,” Amedari emphasised.
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Most middle-class Nigerians earn far less than $1000 a month and struggle to afford solar energy that can power their deep freezes and air conditioners.
The irony is bitter. Nigeria, a nation blessed with abundant sunlight, still sees millions of its citizens depending on petrol generators, spending fortunes on fuel and maintenance.
According to a 2023 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), only about five percent of Nigerian households use solar energy as their primary power source, despite the country’s vast potential.
The cost barrier
For Balogun, the math is simple but disheartening. A full solar system capable of powering her home costs between N1.5 million and N3 million. While this would save her money in the long run, the initial investment is out of reach.
“I spend nearly N30,000 every month on fuel for my generator,” she explained. “In five years, that’s almost N1.8 million—enough to buy a solar system. But where do I get that lump sum upfront?”
This dilemma is shared by millions of Nigerians who live paycheck to paycheck. Even with financing options like pay-as-you-go solar plans, many middle-income earners remain sceptical or find the payment terms unrealistic.
“People assume that because you’re middle class, you can afford solar,” said Emeka Okoro, an engineer who specialises in renewable energy. “But the reality is different. Many families are just one emergency away from financial strain. Spending millions on solar is not a priority when you’re struggling with school fees, rent, and healthcare.”
Solar imports ban
Uche Nnaji, the minister of science and technology, recently said the federal government is willing to support local manufacturing of solar panels while restricting imports.
The ban, part of a broader push to encourage domestic production under the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP), has sparked fears of an impending crisis. With local manufacturers unable to meet demand, analysts predict severe shortages and exorbitant prices.
“If this ban takes effect without adequate local capacity, we’re looking at a disaster,” Femi Adeleke, CEO of a Lagos-based renewable energy firm, said. “A system that costs N1.5 million today could jump to N3.75 million—pricing out the middle class entirely.”
Nigeria currently imports over 80 percent of its solar panels from China and Europe. While the government argues that local production will create jobs and reduce reliance on foreign goods, industry players say the infrastructure and investment needed are still years away.
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“This isn’t just about solar panels; it’s about Nigeria’s energy future,” Zainab Mohammed, a climate activist, said. “If clean energy becomes a luxury only the rich can afford, we’re condemning millions to more years of darkness, pollution, and economic hardship.”
Experts admit that although companies like Solar Depot, Lumos Nigeria, and Rubitec Solar are at the forefront of providing quality solar solutions, wider adoption requires a concerted effort from the government, financial institutions, and the public.
