LIGHTING UP NIGERIA’S FUTURE – THISDAYLIVE

In the bustling streets of Lagos or the quiet villages of Kano, the flicker of a light bulb—or its absence—tells a story of Nigeria’s enduring energy crisis. For decades, millions have lived in the shadow of unreliable power, tethered to costly diesel generators or left entirely in the dark. Load shedding is a way of life, and the grid, when it works, feels like a privilege, not a right. Yet, thousands of miles away, two nations with their own struggles—Pakistan and Bangladesh—have woven inspiring tales of progress, proving that even emerging economies can transform energy access. Their approaches, distinct yet complementary, offer Nigeria a roadmap to climb out of its energy abyss, one step at a time.

Picture a bustling market in Karachi, where shopkeepers once cursed frequent outages. Now, many of those same shops hum with power from rooftop solar panels glinting under the sun. Pakistan, a nation of over 240 million, has lifted electricity access to nearly 96% of its population in just over a decade—an astonishing feat for a country grappling with economic strain and a notoriously complex.

Today, solar energy accounts for a quarter of the nation’s electricity on sunny days, driven by what experts call a “market-adaptive transition.” This transformation didn’t happen by accident. Falling prices of solar panels, largely due to affordable Chinese imports, brought renewable energy within reach of Pakistan’s growing middle class. Supportive policies like net-metering allowed households and businesses to sell excess solar power back to the grid, turning rooftops into mini power plants. The private sector played a starring role, with independent power producers expanding supply while fiscal crises forced the government to rethink bloated subsidies and renegotiate costly contracts.

Yet, Pakistan’s energy system is far from perfect. “Circular debt”—a vicious cycle of unpaid bills between utilities, suppliers, and the government—still triggers outages. But the market-adaptive approach has empowered ordinary citizens to take control. From rural farmers to urban entrepreneurs, Pakistanis are harnessing the sun to power their homes and businesses, proving that progress can thrive even in a messy system. For Nigeria, where bureaucracy often stifles innovation, Pakistan’s story is a reminder that clear, flexible policies and market-driven solutions can spark rapid change.

In the lush, riverine villages of Bangladesh, a different kind of energy revolution unfolded. Two decades ago, when the national grid was a distant dream for millions, Bangladesh launched the world’s largest solar home system (SHS) program.

This “off-grid first” approach brought light to remote corners of the country, one tiny solar kit at a time. For as little as $100, families could buy a system—enough to power a few lights and charge a phone—financed through micro-loans from NGOs like Grameen Shakti. The brilliance of Bangladesh’s model lay in its simplicity and trust. Each solar kit came with warranties, training, and after-sales service, ensuring reliability and building confidence among users. The impact was staggering over four million solar home systems illuminated rural homes, schools, and shops, transforming lives long before the grid arrived. A villager in Chittagong could study by lamplight, a shopkeeper in Sylhet could stay open after dusk, and a mother could charge her phone to stay connected—all without a single power line.

Today, Bangladesh is shifting toward rooftop and grid-connected solar, building on its off-grid foundation. But the SHS program’s legacy endures, proving that energy access doesn’t always require a sprawling grid. For Nigeria, where over 80 million people lack electricity, Bangladesh’s story shows that small, affordable systems can bridge the gap, empowering communities while the grid catches up.

A Ladder to Light: The Path Forward