In the heart of Nigerian communities, the influx to phone charging centres has become an unavoidable phenomenon. Faced with the energy shortage affecting several states in the north of the country, residents are rushing in droves to give their electronic devices a new lease of life.
The electricity transmission network, managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), recently pointed out a malfunction on its 330KV Ugwaji-Apir transmission line. Repairs are underway, but in the meantime, the population has to deal with recurring power cuts.
The owners of these charging centres, most of whom sell phone accessories, are seeing their customer base grow exponentially. John Greg, who operates one of these charging points in Tudun Wada in the Jos North region, testifies to this significant increase in business: “As you can see, I sell phone accessories and I charge phones for those who have no electricity at all. With the current power cuts affecting most northern states, the patronage has increased; I recharge over 700 phones daily.”
He used to charge N100 per phone recharged, but with the use of generators and the increase in the price of petrol, the charge has increased to N200. Despite the increase, demand remains high, highlighting the importance of such services for phone users who cannot afford a generator at home.
Similarly, Sunday James, who owns a charging point in Hwolshe in the Jos South Region, charges N150 per phone or power bank. He explains that he uses a generator to provide the service and serves over 600 customers daily. For him, this reality is an opportunity to generate income rather than a source of satisfaction: “I am not particularly happy with the situation in a country that is so rich in human and financial resources, which God has blessed so much. But this is the reality we are in and we are taking advantage of it to make money. It is neither stealing nor scamming, but simply providing a service to those in need.”
In a country rich in resources, where access to electricity should be a basic right, these charging centers become oases for users in search of recharged batteries. They have become the symbol of a paradoxical situation, where modern technology rubs shoulders with persistent energy challenges.