For decades, residents of Bodija Estate in Ibadan — once regarded as one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and well-served neighbourhoods — enjoyed relatively stable electricity compared with most other parts of the country. Originally developed in 1959 as the Western Region’s first planned residential estate, this community symbolised orderly urban growth and reliable infrastructure. Yet today, Bodija’s electricity situation has deteriorated sharply, frustrating residents and threatening local economic activity.
In this blog post, we explore how an enviable electricity reputation has slipped into a prolonged power nightmare, why the service has worsened over time, and what Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, is doing to address the crisis.
From “Envy of Others” to Chronic Blackouts
In the past, Bodija and neighbouring districts such as Basorun, Iwo Road, Oje, and Mokola benefited from reasonably consistent power — especially compared with many other parts of the Southwest. These areas were once classified under Band A supply, which guarantees up to 20 hours of electricity daily under Nigeria’s current banding system.
However, residents now describe the situation as the opposite of what it used to be. Instead of dependable service, they face erratic supply, prolonged outages, and long stretches with little to no light at all. Fundamentally, there are several reasons for this decline:
1. Inadequate Transmission Infrastructure
Power supply in Bodija depends heavily on a transformer network managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). At present, this includes a 40 MVA transformer that serves a rapidly growing population and rising commercial demand — far beyond its intended capacity. The result is frequent overloads and insufficient electricity distribution.
Sources within the power sector confirm that a 100 MVA transformer — four times larger than the existing unit — has already been delivered to the site and is ready for installation. Once put into service, this unit could significantly strengthen Bodija’s electrical capacity and potentially restore Band A status with up to 20 hours of stable supply per day.
2. Band Reclassification and Rising Tariffs
Bodija’s challenges were compounded by tariff and banding changes that occurred following a federal tariff review in April 2024. After being upgraded to Band A with a higher tariff ( ₦225 per kWh), the area was later downgraded to Band B, promising at least 16 hours of supply daily. Unfortunately, this promise has not been fulfilled, and residents continue to experience far fewer hours of electricity than legally required.
When consumers pay premium tariffs but receive unstable service, the result is frustration and a sense of injustice. Many residents argue that they are being charged for a service they do not receive, further eroding trust in both power companies (DisCos) and government regulators.
3. National Grid and Generation Issues
The wider national power grid — on which Bodija depends — has struggled for years with under-investment, outdated infrastructure, and supply shortfalls. Nigeria’s national grid often experiences failures due to insufficient generation capacity and transmission constraints, leading to rolling blackouts across many states. Incidents such as vandalism and explosions on gas pipelines — which supply fuel to several thermal power plants — have further disrupted generation, leading to reduced energy availability across the grid.
These systemic issues mean that even if distribution networks in Bodija were functioning optimally, unstable generation at the national level still limits overall supply and reliability.
The Residents’ Outcry: A Community at Breaking Point
Amid worsening conditions, the Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA) has repeatedly sounded the alarm. In public statements and press interactions, the group highlighted several key frustrations:
Years of erratic power with blackouts lasting for weeks
Paying high tariffs for sub-standard service
A lack of visible progress in infrastructure upgrades
Feeling neglected by authorities despite clear evidence of available solutions already procured on site
Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, President of BERA, urged the Federal Government and the Minister of Power to expedite the installation of the new 100 MVA transformer before the end of December 2025, stressing that quick action would restore reliable electricity and revive economic activity in the community.
Residents’ frustration reflects broader national sentiments. Across Nigeria, consumers regularly report unreliable power, prolonged outages, and minimal accountability from power distribution companies. The general public often attributes these issues to poor infrastructure, lack of investment, and policy failures — and not merely to isolated incidents.
What Is Minister Adebayo Adelabu Doing?
Amid these frustrations, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, has been in the spotlight for initiatives aimed at stabilising and expanding the country’s electricity supply. His approach combines short-term interventions with long-term reforms.
Major Infrastructure Upgrades
One of the most prominent moves under Adelabu’s tenure has been the commissioning of new mobile substations and upgrades to existing power infrastructure. In July 2025, the Federal Government — through the FGN Power Company in partnership with Siemens Energy — commissioned a 63 MVA, 132/33 kV mobile substation at the Eleyele transmission station in Ibadan.
This substation increased the grid’s transmission capacity by 50.4 MW, boosting electricity delivery to a range of neighbourhoods including Apete, Ologuneru, The Polytechnic area, Sango, and importantly, Bodija itself.
According to the Minister’s office, this new infrastructure is part of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) — a broader federal effort to modernise Nigeria’s energy sector and improve reliability. Beyond Eleyele, the programme has deployed several substations and transformers nationwide.
National and Strategic Power Sector Reforms
Adelabu’s strategy also extends beyond local projects:
Grid Strengthening and NISO Creation: The establishment of the National Independent System Operator (NISO) — an agency tasked with stabilising grid operations — is a key reform aimed at reducing grid collapses and improving power dispatch reliability.
Large-Scale Transmission Projects: Plans for an $18.2 billion “super grid” are underway to create backup pathways and reduce system failures, positioning Nigeria for more resilient electricity distribution nationwide.
Record Generation Achievements: In mid-2025, Nigeria achieved its highest recorded electricity generation of 5,801 MW, a milestone credited to policy reforms, private sector investment, and infrastructure upgrades — although distribution challenges still remain.
Temporary Power Outage Mitigation
When a drop in power supply occurred in late December 2025 — largely due to a gas pipeline explosion and vandalism affecting thermal generation — Minister Adelabu publicly said that restoration was expected within 24-48 hours after repairs, emphasising that the problem was temporary and linked to fuel supply disruptions.
In statements to the media, the Minister acknowledged inconveniences faced by households and businesses, and directed agencies to expedite remedial actions, signalling responsiveness to crises even as broader infrastructure reforms progress.
What’s Next for Bodija and Power in Nigeria?
While the issues in Bodija reflect deep-rooted systemic challenges, there are signs of progress:
Infrastructure upgrades such as mobile substations have already expanded transmission capacity in Ibadan.
Larger transformers — once installed — could restore high-band electricity like that which residents once enjoyed.
Structural reforms in the power sector are underway nationwide, targeting generation, transmission, and distribution simultaneously.
However, success will depend on the pace of implementation, stronger collaboration between government agencies and private stakeholders, and improved accountability for service delivery.
For Bodija — a symbol of elite living and organised planning — returning to its former reputation won’t happen overnight. But with strategic investments, stronger governance, and community engagement, the power department’s promise of reliable electricity may yet be fulfilled.
In Summary: Bodija’s current electricity woes are the result of overloaded infrastructure, unmet banding guarantees, and systemic grid challenges. Minister Adebayo Adelabu has initiated several projects to improve power capacity, stability, and national reforms. The installation of a larger transformer, expedited implementation of substation projects, and ongoing sector reforms remain critical to restoring sustainable electricity supply.
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