Kate Henshaw Questions Power Minister Over Persistent Blackouts, Rising Cost Of Self-Generation

Nigerian actress, Kate Henshaw, has taken a swipe at the Federal Government over the persistent electricity crisis in the country, questioning the performance of the Ministry of Power and expressing frustration that Nigerians continue to struggle to enjoy reliable electricity despite huge investments in the sector.

Henshaw, in a video shared on her Facebook page on Friday, November 6, 2026, expressed anger over the worsening power situation, accusing authorities of offering explanations that do little to address the hardship millions of Nigerians face daily.

Her grievance comes against the backdrop of mounting economic pressures, with households and businesses already contending with high living costs, rising energy expenses and the additional burden of providing alternative sources of electricity.

Addressing the Minister of Power directly, the actress lamented that electricity supply had become so unreliable that consumers could hardly enjoy uninterrupted power for more than a few minutes.

“Come, come, come all. Mr. Minister of Power. No lights. There's no lights. There's hardly been lights. You people bring it, maybe five minutes, and then it's gone,” she said.

She particularly questioned a reported explanation attributed to the minister that some Nigerians had appealed for electricity supply to be reduced in September because their freezers were already freezing.

For Henshaw, such an explanation was difficult to reconcile with the reality of households and businesses struggling to secure adequate electricity supply.

She challenged the minister to identify those who allegedly made such complaints, insisting that Nigerians deserved transparency rather than explanations she considered unconvincing.

“I need the names and numbers of these people that called you and said, you should turn off the lights, or you should slow down, or whatever it is you imagine they told you. It's hardly electricity,” she said.

The actress also questioned why Nigeria, in 2026, was still grappling with an electricity supply crisis that had forced citizens to become increasingly responsible for generating their own power.

According to her, the growing dependence on generators, inverters and solar energy has transformed ordinary homes into mini power-generation centres, with households compelled to spend additional money simply to secure an essential service that should ordinarily be provided through the national grid.

In a particularly striking observation, Henshaw suggested that Nigerians were being pushed towards exploring unconventional means of generating electricity, including small-scale hydroelectric and wind energy systems.

“In 2026, we are still talking about electricity. People have generator, inverter, solar. It's to start using water. You find a house near the water, so you start, you know, making your own hydro energy. Then we use the windmill as support as well. Homes are now like factories,” she lamented.

Her comments reflect a wider consumer frustration over the financial implications of unreliable electricity, particularly the additional costs households incur to maintain generators, purchase fuel, install solar systems and acquire inverters and batteries.

For small businesses, the consequences are equally significant, as poor electricity supply often translates into higher operating expenses, increased production costs and additional pressure on already stretched profit margins.

Henshaw also questioned the justification for electricity distribution companies continuing to issue bills to consumers despite what she described as inadequate supply.

She wondered why Nigerians should continue paying for electricity services when they were already spending substantial sums to provide alternative power for themselves.

“Everybody just trying to generate power. Then after, you discourse, distribution company, you now bring bill. What are you people doing? Yet billions, trillions are being thrown in to the power sector. No lights. Why?” she asked.

The actress further criticized the history of electricity tariff increases, recalling that a previous administration of the power ministry had raised tariffs without delivering the level of electricity supply consumers expected.

Although she acknowledged that the current minister might not have increased tariffs in the same manner, she argued that the absence of reliable electricity remained an equally serious failure.

“The one that was before you, he increased tariff till he was tired, then he left. You, you may not have increased tariff. But there's no light, so you are lying,” she said.

Beyond the immediate electricity crisis, Henshaw's remarks highlighted a deeper question about accountability in Nigeria's power sector, particularly the relationship between public investment, electricity generation, distribution and the actual experience of consumers.

Her criticism also touched on the apparent disconnect between official explanations and the everyday realities of Nigerians who continue to bear the financial consequences of inadequate power supply.

Visibly unsatisfied, the actress admitted that she had deliberately avoided commenting on national issues for much of the year because of the emotional toll of constantly confronting the country's challenges.

“I'm just so angry. This year, I've stayed clear of commenting on things, because Nigeria will make you, you start to loosen your dada,” she said, using humour to convey the extent of her exasperation.

She eventually turned her anger into a religious appeal, declaring that those responsible for the country's electricity problems would ultimately be held accountable by God.

In a particularly humorous but poignant remark, Henshaw suggested that Nigerians deserved special treatment in heaven after enduring the hardships associated with living in the country.

“I was telling someone; we need free pass to heaven. When we die and go, God will say, you are from Nigeria, go and get massage, get food, let someone just take care of you, because you are coming from a lot,” she said.

Although delivered with anger, sarcasm and humour, Henshaw's intervention has brought renewed attention to a problem that continues to affect households, businesses and the broader economy.

Her central message was unmistakable: Nigerians should not have to turn their homes into electricity-generating factories to enjoy a basic service, especially after decades of public spending and repeated promises to improve the power sector.