POOR AND INADEQUATE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION IN NIGERIA: ECONOMIC, PSYCHO-SOCIAL, HEALTH, SECURITY AND EDUCATIONAL CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

This paper examined the consequences of poor and inadequate electricity generation, transmission and
distribution on the economic, psycho-social, health, security and educational development of Nigeria
and Nigerians. In an attempt to do this, the paper discusses the state of electricity generation,
transmission and distribution in Nigeria and affirmed that it was still poor and low comparable to other
nations despite efforts of government to improve it. Some of the problems responsible for the
inadequate electricity supply and poor performance which the paper identified included over loading
and load shedding, poor funding, natural disasters such as rain and wind storms as well as erosions and
wild fires that destroy electricity installations and also the non-diversification of energy sources to
include solar and wind. The paper further discussed the consequences of these poor and inadequate
electricity supplies on national economic growth and development, psycho-social, health, security and
the educational growth and development of both the individuals and the nation. The paper finally
concluded discussions by recommending among others that sources of energy be diversified to include
the use of solar and wind in addition to oil and gas, promotion of more research efforts in the sector
through frequent seminars and conferences and that security agents should intensify surveillance to
forestall, arrest and penalize illegal exploration of oil and gas as well as destruction of oil and gas
installations that frustrate supply of available electricity.