Residents of Love Estate in the Ikorodu-Elepe area of Lagos State have decried a prolonged five-month electricity blackout that has crippled local businesses and left the community vulnerable to security threats. The community is now preparing to stage a peaceful protest at the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) headquarters on Monday.
The blackout, which began in January 2025, followed the removal of the estate’s only transformer by IKEDC for repairs. Despite the community’s donation of a new N15 million, 500 KVA transformer to the electricity company, residents claim that IKEDC has refused to energise the replacement or return the faulty one.
Residents who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) described the situation as dire, saying it has not only disrupted daily life but also led to significant financial losses. Mr Emmanuel Ayanda, a resident, said, “We contributed N15 million to buy a new transformer, donated it to IKEDC with all due approvals, but nothing has been done. We are still in darkness.”
Another resident, Mrs Ranti Olaniyi, expressed anguish over the effect on her business. “My turnover has dropped drastically. We cannot continue to live and work under these conditions. We need urgent intervention,” she said.
Mr Ayo Ikuomola echoed similar frustrations, revealing that he has spent over N1 million on fuel in the past five months to keep his business running. “Every morning, women and children roam the streets in search of water and a place to charge their phones. It’s heartbreaking,” he said.
The Chairman of the Community Development Association, Mr Segun Oni, confirmed that repeated appeals and letters to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and relevant government bodies have gone unanswered. “We have exhausted all avenues. The community will protest peacefully on Monday to demand accountability from IKEDC,” Oni stated.
Attempts to obtain a response from IKEDC officials were unsuccessful. Samuel Odukoya, Head of the Technical Unit at the company’s Ikorodu business unit, declined to comment and directed inquiries to the corporate affairs unit. Efforts to reach Kingsley Okotie, Head of Corporate Communications, were also unsuccessful.
Residents have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, NERC, and other authorities to intervene and restore power to the beleaguered community, stressing that they can no longer endure the hardship.
