Blackout Boosts Business for Jos Phone Charger, Sparks Mixed Emotions

Jos, Nigeria – Amidst ongoing blackouts in Northern Nigeria, a phone charging operator in the Anguwan Rogo community, Jos North, Plateau State, has reported a surge in his business, enabling him to better support his family.

Auwal Bayya, who runs a mobile charging business, revealed that the recent outages—caused by tripping of the 330KV circuit transmission lines between Makurdi, Benue State, and Enugu—have been both a blessing and a challenge for him.

Reflecting on the mixed impact of the power crisis, Bayya stated, “Life is bittersweet; one person’s tears is another’s laughter. The truth is, those suffering are many. I’m now earning enough to feed my family, unlike before when people rarely patronized me.”

With many locals unable to charge their devices at home, Bayya said his small setup has seen an influx of customers. “I recharge over a hundred phones daily, plus laptops, torchlights, and other electronics. Sometimes, I have to turn people away due to lack of space,” he noted.

Despite the uptick in business, Bayya expressed empathy for those impacted by the outages. “I’m one of those benefiting from the situation, but I empathize with Nigerians crying about it. There’s nothing I can do. It’s the situation that permits it. Don’t forget, I’m also buying fuel at a high cost,” he said, noting that high fuel costs eat into his earnings.

Though he is among those profiting from the situation, Bayya urged the government to act swiftly to restore power in affected areas. “We cannot continue to enjoy while millions are suffering,” he concluded, calling for prompt intervention by the authorities to relieve the ongoing hardship faced by many across Northern Nigeria.