Night blackout encouraging parents to have more children, says Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has described lack of electricity in rural communities, particularly at night, as one of the factors responsible for increased population growth in the country.

Fayose stated this on Friday in Abuja after his inauguration as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

The former governor is among the 26 newly appointed heads of 10 Federal Government agencies and commissions by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2026.

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In a video shared by ARISE News on its X handle on Saturday, Fayose said the lack of electricity in many communities is forcing residents, particularly men, to retire to bed early and engage their wives because of limited recreational activities at night.

He said addressing the country’s electricity challenges would promote nightlife and provide alternative recreational activities that would encourage people to stay outdoors.

“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,” Fayose said.

He added, “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.”