The struggle over electricity in Nigeria is a struggle over the future of the country. It is a contest between those who seek to build a stable and prosperous society and those who use violence to undermine it. The lights that flicker across the nation each night reflect the political, economic, and social forces that shape Nigeria’s destiny. Until these forces are addressed in a coordinated and sustained manner, the link between electricity and terrorism will continue to cast a long shadow over national development
FOR many Nigerians, the flicker of a light bulb has never been a simple matter of convenience. It is a symbol of the state’s capacity to provide order, security, and a functioning economy. It is also a reminder of how often the state fails to meet these basic expectations. Across the country, electricity has become one of the most contested resources in national life. It is both a casualty and a weapon in the long conflict between the Nigerian state and the armed groups that challenge it. The link between electricity and terrorism is no longer speculative. It has become a defining feature of the country’s political economy, shaping daily life and influencing the direction of national development.
The political roots of this link lie in the nature of the Nigerian state. Scholars of terrorism in Nigeria have long argued that insurgency grows out of political exclusion, historical grievances, and institutional weakness. These conditions have created fertile ground for extremist groups to recruit followers and expand their influence. Instability, corruption, and uneven governance have marked the political landscape. These weaknesses have allowed groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP factions, and various militant organisations to exploit gaps in state authority. They use violence to challenge the state and to impose their own forms of control in areas where government presence is thin or ineffective.
Electricity sits at the centre of this political struggle because it is one of the most visible indicators of state effectiveness. When the lights go out, citizens are reminded of the fragility of the institutions meant to serve and protect them. A recent political economy study of electricity access in Nigeria found that political stability, government effectiveness, and the absence of violence are strongly correlated with the availability of power. Where political institutions function well, electricity supply improves. Where they falter, the grid becomes unreliable. This relationship has created a cycle in which political instability fuels poor electricity access, and poor electricity access deepens public frustration with the state.
Terrorist groups have learned to exploit this cycle. Attacks on energy infrastructure have become a deliberate strategy aimed at weakening the state’s legitimacy. In the Niger Delta, militants have long sabotaged oil pipelines to assert control over resources and challenge the authority of the federal government. In the northern regions, Boko Haram and ISWAP factions have shifted their tactics in recent years, targeting transmission lines and power stations. In the middle belt and parts of the southwest, violent groups often described as bandits or cattle rearers have conducted similar attacks. These acts are not random. They are calculated attempts to disrupt economic activity, undermine public confidence and create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
A major study of energy related incidents in Nigeria, published in The Conversation in 2026, recorded more than two thousand three hundred attacks on energy systems between 2009 and 2025. The scale of these attacks shows how deeply energy infrastructure has become entangled in the country’s security crisis.
The economic consequences are severe. Nigeria’s economy depends heavily on energy infrastructure, not only for industrial production but also for the daily functioning of businesses and households. When power lines are destroyed or pipelines are sabotaged, the effects ripple across the entire economy. The country has lost an estimated twenty billion dollars to energy related attacks over a fifteen-year period. During periods of intense militancy, losses have reached staggering levels, with billions of dollars in revenue disappearing as oil production is disrupted and electricity supply collapses. These losses weaken the state’s fiscal capacity, reduce investment and slow economic growth.
The economic impact is also felt at the local level. Communities suffer from higher energy costs, reduced productivity, and deteriorating living conditions. When power infrastructure is attacked, households and businesses are forced to rely on generators, which can increase electricity costs several times over. This places a heavy burden on small businesses that already operate on thin margins. It also affects schools, hospitals, and other essential services, deepening the sense of insecurity and hardship. In regions already struggling with poverty and unemployment, these disruptions can push vulnerable populations closer to the brink.
The sociological dimension of the link between electricity and terrorism is equally important. Terrorism in Nigeria is not only a political or economic phenomenon. It is also a social one, rooted in the lived experiences of communities that feel marginalised, neglected or abandoned by the state. Studies of terrorism in Nigeria have shown that poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity contribute to the recruitment strategies of extremist groups. These groups often present themselves as alternatives to a state that has failed to provide basic services, including electricity.
In rural and peri urban areas, the absence of reliable electricity reinforces feelings of exclusion. When communities see that the national grid does not reach them, or that it fails repeatedly, they may interpret this as evidence that the state does not care about their welfare. Insurgent groups exploit this perception to build support or justify their actions. In cases, they even attempt to provide their own forms of governance, offering protection or limited services in exchange for loyalty. The struggle over electricity becomes part of a broader contest for social legitimacy.
The sociological effects of terrorism also feed back into the electricity sector. When communities are displaced by violence, when schools are closed and when markets are disrupted, the social fabric that supports economic activity begins to unravel. This reduces demand for electricity in some areas while increasing it in others, creating imbalances that the national grid is not designed to manage. It also makes it more difficult for engineers and technicians to maintain or repair infrastructure, especially in regions where security risks are high. The result is a patchwork of supply that mirrors the uneven geography of conflict.
The political, economic, and sociological dimensions of this issue are deeply intertwined. Politically, attacks on electricity infrastructure challenge the authority of the state and expose the weaknesses of its institutions. Economically, these attacks drain national resources, deter investment, and impose heavy costs on communities. Sociologically, they deepen feelings of marginalisation and contribute to the conditions that allow terrorism to flourish. The link between electricity and terrorism is therefore not a simple cause and effect relationship. It is a complex system in which each factor reinforces the others.
Understanding this link is essential for developing effective solutions. Strengthening political institutions is a crucial first step. When governance improves, electricity access tends to improve as well. This can help rebuild public trust and reduce the appeal of extremist groups. Protecting energy infrastructure must also become a national priority. This requires increased security and investment in decentralised energy systems that are less vulnerable to attack. Solar mini grids, for example, can provide reliable power to remote communities without relying on long transmission lines that can be easily targeted.
Economic reforms are also necessary. Reducing dependence on oil revenues, diversifying the economy, and investing in renewable energy can help build resilience against future attacks. These reforms must be accompanied by social policies that address the root causes of terrorism, including poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity. Education, healthcare, and job creation are essential components of any long-term strategy.
The struggle over electricity in Nigeria is a struggle over the future of the country. It is a contest between those who seek to build a stable and prosperous society and those who use violence to undermine it. The lights that flicker across the nation each night reflect the political, economic, and social forces that shape Nigeria’s destiny. Until these forces are addressed in a coordinated and sustained manner, the link between electricity and terrorism will continue to cast a long shadow over national development.
This call becomes even more urgent as the country moves towards another election season.
- Dr Adeyemi is of University if East Anglia, UK.
