Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has linked the lack of electricity in rural communities to early bedtimes, limited recreational activities and population growth.
Fayose made the remarks on Friday in Abuja after his inauguration as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
In a video clip shared by ARISE News on Saturday, the former governor argued that the absence of electricity had deprived residents of rural communities of alternative forms of recreation at night.
According to him, many residents are forced to remain indoors after dark, with limited entertainment options outside their homes.
“Why you don’t address this issue of electricity? The people at that level have no alternative attraction. Nothing else matters to them. After 7 o’clock, it gets dark there.
“Everybody is engaging their wives. And the population simply becomes double. The simple problem is because there is lack of electricity,” Fayose said.
He further argued that improved electricity supply would encourage residents to remain outdoors for longer periods, promote nightlife and create more opportunities for recreation.
“People go to bed early. Their mind is simply prepared that, well, if this is the only available recreation, let me remain here.
“But when we address this electricity, there will be nightlife. There will be recreation outside your wife,” he added.
Fayose’s comments came as he assumed leadership of the REA board, the agency responsible for advancing efforts to expand electricity access to underserved and unserved communities across Nigeria.
The former governor was sworn in alongside other members of the REA governing board by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.
Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Makinta were also inaugurated as board members, alongside three other non-executive directors.
Abba Aliyu was formally installed as the Managing Director of the agency.
The new board is expected to support the Federal Government’s efforts to improve electricity access in rural and underserved communities as part of broader initiatives to expand Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
