Sarz Flags Poor Electricity Supply as a Threat to Nigeria’s Creative Industry

Renowned Nigerian producer and music executive Sarz has highlighted the detrimental impact of unreliable electricity on Nigeria’s creative sector, stressing that infrastructural challenges hinder artists from reaching their full potential.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Afropolitan podcast, Sarz noted that moments of inspiration are often wasted due to power outages. The 36-year-old explained that despite being born and raised in Nigeria, he has never experienced 24-hour electricity supply.

“I was born and raised in this country and I have never experienced electricity for 24 hours. There are times when I wake up feeling inspired and I want to create music but there is not light,” he said. “Sometimes, even when you want to buy fuel, they will tell that there is a strike or scarcity. And then you end up doing nothing and the potential just waste.”

He further stressed that creatives need the right environment to perform at their best. “As a creative person, you need to be mentally charged to perform at your best. So, when the infrastructure is lacking the moment you are mentally charged, it is a challenge,” Sarz added.

Opinion: Infrastructure as the Backbone of Creativity

Sarz’s observations highlight a long-standing issue: Nigeria’s creative industry, while bursting with talent, is often limited by poor infrastructure. Electricity, internet connectivity, and basic facilities are essential for artists to translate inspiration into output. Without these, even the most talented creatives face delays, frustration, and missed opportunities.

Investing in infrastructure is not just about comfort — it directly impacts economic growth and global competitiveness of the entertainment sector. With Nollywood, Afrobeats, and other Nigerian creative exports thriving internationally, ensuring that local talent has consistent access to resources is crucial.

Ultimately, Sarz’s reflections serve as both a critique and a call to action: for Nigeria to fully harness its creative potential, systemic improvements in infrastructure must become a priority. If not, countless moments of brilliance may continue to go unrealized.