Fayose Links Rural Darkness to Rising Birth Rate

Former Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency Governing Board, Ayodele Fayose, has attributed part of Nigeria’s population growth to inadequate electricity in rural communities.

Fayose made the remarks in Abuja after his inauguration as chairman of the REA board. He argued that many communities become dark shortly after 7 p.m., leaving residents with few options for entertainment or social activities at night.gazettengr+1

According to him, early darkness encourages people to retire to their homes sooner, with some couples turning to sexual activity as their main form of evening recreation.

“After 7 o’clock, it gets dark there. Everybody is engaging their wives, and the population simply becomes double,” Fayose said in remarks shared by Arise News.punchng+1

He maintained that expanding electricity access would do more than illuminate homes. In his view, reliable power would support nightlife, businesses, recreation centres and other community activities, giving residents alternatives to remaining indoors.

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“People go to bed early,” Fayose said, adding that improved electricity supply would create “recreation outside your wife.”thewhistler+1

The comments have drawn attention because they connect Nigeria’s electricity crisis with social behaviour and population growth. However, population trends are influenced by several factors, including access to education and healthcare, household income, cultural expectations and the availability of family-planning services.

Fayose spoke shortly after taking charge of the REA governing board, the body responsible for supporting electricity access in underserved and unserved communities. He was inaugurated alongside other board members, while Abba Aliyu assumed office as the agency’s managing director.

The new REA leadership is expected to focus on extending electricity infrastructure to rural areas and ensuring that power projects deliver broader economic and social benefits.