In Akungba, a town in the heart of Nigeria’s Ondo State, a daily battle for basic necessities has become an enduring reality for its residents—students and indigenes alike.
Among the most pressing issues is the chronic shortage of electricity and water, both of which have profoundly impacted the community. While efforts to resolve these problems have been made, including protests and pleas for better services, the struggle persists, forcing many to adapt in creative—and often difficult—ways.
For years, Akungba’s power supply has been inconsistent. Although the community hosts a significant number of students from the nearby university, whose academic schedules heavily depend on electricity for studying and completing assignments, the electricity situation rarely aligns with their needs.
The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has long been the target of frustration for the community. Local students claim that while power is restored after the academic sessions are over, it often becomes useless to them by that time.
Despite the irregular supply, BEDC continues to issue bills for electricity, leaving students with no choice but to pay for services they don’t always receive unless their lines are threatened with disconnection.
Even when power is available, it often comes in low voltage, leaving students to study under dim lighting or struggle to power their gadgets. For the indigenes, this erratic electricity supply has made life particularly challenging.
From cooking to business operations, the daily realities of life in Akungba have been made more difficult by the constant fluctuations in power availability.
Mide, a 400-level student, sheds light on how these power challenges ripple out into other parts of daily life.
“I live in an apartment with no water supply, so I have to go to a nearby house to fetch water from a well,” he shared.
The situation worsens during the dry season, when many wells dry up. Students often band together in groups, roaming the school area to find a clean well. “Sometimes I have to walk 30 minutes to find a well with water, and when I get there, I wait another 20 minutes to fetch,” he adds.
Mide’s situation is all too familiar for many students and locals. With no consistent power supply, the lack of tap water only deepens the hardship. For many in the area, the only option for water comes from uncovered wells that can easily become contaminated with dirt and bacteria. As a result, residents are forced to drink from these tainted sources, risking exposure to waterborne diseases.
The lack of electricity also affects local businesses. A fishmonger in Akungba, who relies on electricity to preserve her stock, has faced significant losses. “The fish spoils quickly without power to preserve it,” she says. Initially, she relied on a generator to power her business, but with the rise in fuel prices and scarcity, she was left with no choice but to switch to solar energy. Like many others in Akungba, she found a more sustainable solution in solar power.
In fact, solar energy has emerged as the community’s lifeline. With no reliable electricity supply, Akungba residents have increasingly turned to solar-powered systems to meet their needs. For students, solar lights have become essential for reading at night. Others have installed solar panels to power their gadgets and provide electricity for basic household needs. Given the soaring cost of fuel, solar energy has become a more affordable and sustainable option than relying on traditional generators.
Despite the ongoing challenges, there is a sense of cautious optimism in Akungba. “It’s not like the Akungba I used to know before,” says a 300-level student. “The light is still insufficient, but at least we have power now, unlike before.” While the power situation has improved slightly in recent months, it remains far from adequate. However, this improvement has been enough to keep hope alive among residents. They continue to rely on solar systems to fill in the gaps, while also pushing for more consistent power supply from the authorities.
The people of Akungba, indigenes and students alike, have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. They have taken matters into their own hands, seeking alternatives like solar power to address the ongoing electricity and water shortages. The community’s willingness to adapt and innovate amidst these challenges speaks to their determination to build a better future, even if that future still looks uncertain.
While Akungba’s fight for reliable electricity and water continues, the town’s commitment to finding solutions—be it through solar energy or other means—remains unwavering. As students, traders, and residents continue to persevere, the hope for brighter days is far from extinguished. Perhaps, in time, Akungba will not only overcome these challenges but emerge stronger, with a new model of self-reliance and innovation.
