Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr highlighted the impact of Nigeria’s unreliable power supply on her upbringing during her remarks at the Global Citizen NOW forum in New York. The singer said that frequent blackouts and the absence of steady electricity shaped her childhood, schooling and early work experience, and she urged African leaders to prioritise reliable energy for the continent’s youth.
Starr recounted how intermittent power forced her family to adapt their livelihood. “My grandmother sold tomatoes and peppers,” she explained, “and we had to sell them quickly because we couldn’t store them without electricity.” The lack of refrigeration, cooling and lighting, she added, meant that even simple tasks such as completing homework after school were done in sweltering heat without a fan or air‑conditioner.
She argued that a dependable electricity supply would have altered her life trajectory. “If I had come home from school with a fan or AC while doing my assignments, it would have made a big difference,” Starr said. The singer linked those personal hardships to a broader systemic issue, noting that many Nigerian children face similar constraints that affect education, health and economic opportunities.
Starr’s comments come amid growing calls from business leaders, civil‑society groups and policymakers for comprehensive reforms to Nigeria’s power sector. Frequent load‑shedding, aging infrastructure and limited generation capacity have left the country with an average of 12‑hour daily power deficits, according to the World Bank. The situation has prompted the government to launch several privatization and renewable‑energy initiatives, but progress has been slow and public frustration remains high.
By drawing attention to the everyday consequences of energy unreliability, Starr added a cultural voice to the ongoing debate. “Every Nigerian child has faced some type of electricity issue,” she said, emphasizing that reliable power is not a luxury but a basic social amenity essential for proper development.
In concluding her remarks, the artist appealed directly to African leaders, urging them to recognise electricity as a fundamental right for children and to accelerate policies that deliver consistent, affordable power across the continent. Her message underscores the belief that improving energy access can unlock human potential, boost educational outcomes and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
As Nigeria and other African nations continue to grapple with power challenges, the spotlight on personal narratives like Starr’s may add momentum to reforms aimed at closing the continent’s energy gap. The forthcoming months will likely see intensified discussion on financing, grid modernization and renewable integration, with the hope that stories from the front line will translate into actionable policy and tangible improvements for millions of households.
