Residents of Isokan Phase I and II, Wakilu Street, Greenlake, and parts of Ashipa in Ayobo, Lagos State, continue to endure a harrowing blackout, many months after the failure of a crucial transformer.
The community regretted that, despite persistent appeals to Ikeja Electric (IKEDC) and intervention by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), no lasting solution had been provided.
How A Faulty Transformer Plunged Community Into Darkness
Naijaonpoint reports that a crucial transformer, which failed on December 21, 2024, has remained unreplaced despite repeated petitions.
Residents say their community has been in darkness since then. The breakdown has forced households and businesses into reliance on expensive generators and inverters, increasing costs amid rising fuel prices.
Residents and business owners in the community had repeatedly reported significant losses, and students find it challenging to study without reliable lighting in the area.
An elder, Baba Adewale Badmus, who spoke to our correspondent months ago, described the situation as an emergency requiring urgent redress.
‘Work in Progress’ – Says Ikeja Electric
When contacted in January, IKEDC’s business manager at Akowonjo, Mr Abayomi Gabriel, told Naijaonpoint the fault was being addressed, indicating transformer replacement was being planned.
His comment followed a confirmation by the CDA chairman, Ademola Orishatola, that the community had considered funding a 500 kVA transformer, which costs over ₦16 million, to restore power. However, he cited limited resources.
While calling for action, Orishatola stressed that not all residents can afford fuel to run generators, and the blackout is seriously undermining livelihoods.
Subsequently, in March, IKEDC informed residents that the transformer would be replaced, with the community identifying a specific slab location.
Despite this confirmation, the crisis remained unresolved until April.
Transformer Eventually Replaced
Hope was restored in April when Mr Orishatola confirmed to our correspondent that the power firm had brought a transformer for the community.
“Yes, they brought it yesterday evening, but they are still working on it to energise the transformer,” the CDA chairman confirmed.
Back To Square One
Unfortunately, in June, the replaced transformer packed up in less than two months after it was installed by the Ikeja Electric.
Confirming the latest development, the CDA chairman, Mr Orishatola, informed Naijaonpoint about his visit to the Ponle Ikeja Electric office to officially report the collapse of the Distribution transformer (DT).
According to him, “We met Engr. George Talabi, the operation head,and tabled our displeasure about the transformer, which was brought to us less than 2 months ago.
“He said the report of the DT has been brought to his table. He assured us that the DT will be taken away tomorrow, and this issue will be speedily addressed since it’s sort of a ‘ return job’, and it is still under a warranty period.”
An official from the power company confirmed the development, stating that the “DT tested bad and arrangements will be made for it to be carried to the workshop for further attention.”
CDA Chairman Laments Failed Meeting With Ikeja Electric CEO
In an exclusive chat with Naijaonpoint correspondent on Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman for Isokan Estate, Phase 1 and 2, Mr Ademola Orishatola, expressed regret that even attempts to escalate the matter to IKEDC’s CEO had yielded no tangible results.
“Nothing was done yet, just keeping us promised. We decided to meet their CEO and sent messages to her. Only their customer service replied to our email that they are working on how to give us light. They cannot continue keeping us in darkness. That’s their response,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, a source within the Ikeja Electric confirmed the receipt of the letter requesting a meeting with the CEO.
While he could not provide further details on the failed meeting, part of the letter highlighted the situation in the Isokan Phase 1 and a segment of the Isokan Phase 2 Community Development Associations (CDAs).
“When the supposed reprieve came the community started jubilating. However, we did not know that the reprieve was for a short period as the replacement DT did not last two months before it broke down, returning our community to the horrible darkness again. The faulty DT has since been removed from the site by your men,” a part of the letter recently addressed to the Ikeja Electric Managing Director reads.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a comment from the Ikeja Electric spokesperson proved unsuccessful, as she did not respond to her calls and chats as of the time of filing this report.
Call For Swift Action
Naijaonpoint reports that with the Ikeja Electric CEO reportedly unresponsive, calls are intensifying for regulators and government agencies to hold the power company accountable and ensure light returns to Ayobo’s beleaguered communities.
As residents continue to endure nightly darkness, they demand urgent transformer replacement, accountability for unexplained delays, and lasting solutions to prevent future breakdowns.
The prolonged blackout is no longer acceptable, and communities say actions, not words, are now essential.