A Nigerian man has ignited an online debate after petitioning Guinness World Records to recognize Nigeria for the most national grid collapses in a single year.
This unusual application comes amid ongoing power issues that have frustrated Nigerians for years, with frequent and widespread power outages affecting daily life and businesses across the country.
The petitioner, known as “General Snow,” shared a copy of his formal application to Guinness World Records on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
In his letter, he humorously yet pointedly called for global recognition of Nigeria’s electricity grid problems, citing a record 11 collapses this year alone—and the potential for the number to rise to 12 within days.
Describing the situation as a “unique global precedent,” General Snow emphasized the frequency of these grid failures, claiming that the national grid has a nearly 90% chance of collapsing every two days.
He also noted that Nigeria is the only country with a dedicated committee for addressing grid collapses, suggesting that this too could be a world record in itself.
The petition quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from Nigerians and others. Many people praised the creative approach to shedding light on the ongoing power crisis, while others criticized it as disrespectful.
Some saw the petition as a call for action, using humor to draw attention to the severe power issues that continue to affect millions.
Supporters of the petition shared their own experiences, with @onlyonejega writing, “As a Nigerian who has lived here for more than 25 years, I’m in full support of Mr. @generalshow_. I’ve never experienced a month with full electricity supply.”
However, others were less amused. @pointzero_088 expressed concern, stating, “As much as I dislike the power outages and believe more can be done, it is extremely disrespectful to Nigeria to do this. We have to stop this kind of stunt, please.”
The petition has sparked a broader conversation about Nigeria’s ongoing power challenges, with some even pointing to political leadership as a factor in the crisis.
One commenter, @RamotuOlaniyi, pointed out the president’s failure to deliver on promises of reliable electricity, while @JpChidiOkoye1 blasted the current Minister of Power, calling him “useless.”
As the online debate continues, General Snow’s petition serves as a striking reminder of Nigeria’s electricity struggles, using humor to highlight a serious issue that many Nigerians are calling for immediate reform.
