Fayose: Give Nigerians electricity, they’ll have less time for procreation

Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, suggested that inadequate electricity in rural communities directly contributes to population growth. He argued that the absence of power limits nighttime recreational activities, leading to increased procreation.

Fayose made these remarks during his inauguration as the Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) governing board. He pointed out that in areas without electricity, darkness falls early, leaving residents with "nothing else matters to them." He elaborated, "After 7 o’clock, it gets dark there. Everybody is engaging their wives. And the population simply becomes double. The simple problem is because there is lack of electricity."

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Why don’t you address this issue of electricity? The people at that level have no alternative attraction. Nothing else matters to them. After 7 o’clock, it gets dark there. Everybody is engaging their wives. And the population simply becomes double. The simple problem is because there is lack of electricity.

He proposed that improving electricity supply would encourage outdoor activities and provide more diverse forms of recreation beyond staying at home. Fayose suggested that enhanced electricity access would foster "nightlife" and opportunities for recreation outside the home.

The former governor's comments came as he assumed leadership of the REA board, an agency tasked with expanding electricity access to underserved areas nationwide. He was inaugurated by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, alongside other board members and the agency's Managing Director, Abba Aliyu.

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People go to bed early. Their mind is simply prepared that, well, if this is the only available recreation, let me remain here. But when we address this electricity, there will be nightlife. There will be recreation outside your wife.