Unstable electricity supply and rising fuel prices are placing significant strain on frozen food businesses in Lagos, as traders struggle to cope with higher operating costs and reduced customer patronage.

The traders, who spoke with in separate interviews on Wednesday, said the combined effect of unstable power supply and expensive fuel had increased their operating costs and reduced profit margins.

Frozen food businesses rely heavily on constant electricity to preserve items such as chicken, turkey, fish, and other perishable products.

However, irregular power supply has forced traders to depend on generators, which run on fuel, thereby increasing operational expenses.

There has been a nationwide drop in power generation due to insufficient gas supply.

Consequently, the country’s power sector, largely dependent on gas-fired plants, has been hit by disruptions in gas supply worsened by pipeline maintenance challenges and liquidity constraints.

Chika Oluehi, owner of Chika Frozen Foods at Ijora-Olopa, said he now factors electricity and fuel costs into his pricing to remain in business.

“Before now, a carton of turkey sold for about N85,000, but it now goes for between N105,000 and N110,000.

“A carton of chicken that used to sell for about N39,000 to N41,000, now sells for N46,000. We have to calculate our margins carefully to avoid losses,” he said.

Oluehi added that storage capacity determines how traders cope with electricity challenges.

“Suspending my frozen food business is not an option for me because of my storage facilities.

 “When there is no electricity, we use fuel to power generators, but the generator does not fully carry the freezer. It only chills it and does not completely prevent spoilage,” he said.

Oluehi added that he had resorted to alternative energy sources to reduce losses.

“Where I live, I sometimes have light, and I also use a solar freezer. It helps, but it still depends on electricity, so it is not a complete solution,” he said.

According to him, the rising cost of fuel also affects the transportation of frozen foods from suppliers to markets.

“When fuel prices go up and there is no power, we spend more transporting these frozen foods.

“Once fuel increases, prices automatically rise, and customers cannot buy as much as they used to.

“Imagine having 10 customers and five stop buying, while the remaining five reduce the quantity they purchase. The business will eventually suffer,” he said.

Another trader, Mojisola Kazeem of MJ Frozen Foods in Surulere, said she had temporarily halted selling frozen items due to the cost of fuel and electricity.

“I had to pause it. I cannot cope with the electricity situation and the cost of fuel.

“Hopefully, when things return to normal, I can pick up from where I stopped,” she said.

Similarly, a fish seller in Mushin, Bose Adeyemi, said she now reduces the quantity she stocks to avoid spoilage.

“Without steady electricity, keeping large quantities is risky. If light goes off and fuel is expensive, you may lose everything.

“I now buy in small quantities even though it reduces profit,” she said.

A cold-room operator in Agege, Sulaiman Adebayo, said many traders now share storage space to cut electricity costs.

“Some traders cannot afford to run generators alone, so they rent space in cold rooms. But even cold-room owners are increasing prices because of fuel,” he said.

Adebayo noted that the situation had reduced customer patronage.

“Customers complain that frozen foods are too expensive. Many now buy smaller portions, and some switch to alternatives,” he said.

Yetunde Afolabi, a soft drink seller at Yaba Market, said poor electricity supply had affected her sales because customers prefer chilled drinks.

“People will not buy soft drinks when they are hot. Once there is no light, the drinks lose their chill, and customers walk away.

“Some of them even open the cooler, check the bottle, and drop it back when it is not cold enough.

“I spend money on fuel to run my generator, but I cannot keep it on all day because fuel is expensive. When I switch it off, the drinks become warm, and I lose sales,” she said.

Sri Lanka has issued guidelines to government institutions on the prudent use of fuel and energy amid possible disruptions to fuel imports caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The Office of the Commissioner General of Essential Services issued the guidelines to ministry secretaries, provincial and district secretaries, and heads of government and statutory institutions and called for measures to reduce fuel and electricity consumption across the public sector.

Officials have been advised to avoid using individual vehicles to commute to work and instead use public transport or group transport whenever possible, according to the office.

Government institutions have also been instructed to prepare daily transport plans to reduce the number of vehicles used for field duties.

The guidelines set out steps to conserve electricity and energy, including maximising natural lighting, reducing the use of air conditioning by relying more on electric fans, and limiting elevator use by encouraging people to take the stairs.

Local government authorities have been directed to switch off street lights during unnecessary hours and temporarily turn off street lighting in non-high-security areas as a precautionary measure, the office said.

The guidelines further encourage heads of institutions to allow staff to work remotely where technological facilities are available instead of requiring physical attendance.

The office urged all public officials to act responsibly, set an example for the public, and extend maximum support to national energy conservation and security efforts. 

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has unveiled plans to attract up to five billion dollars structured investments to the oil-producing region in five years.

Chairman of the NDCCITMA, Amb.

Idaere Gogo Ogan, who disclosed this at a pre-summit conference ahead of the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said the initiative would catalyse no fewer than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs as well as spur investments and create wealth.

‎He said the summit with the theme: “Driving Investment, Innovation, and Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta”, slated for Port Harcourt on May 19-21, 2026, would deliberate on investment mobilisation, enterprise growth, industrial expansion, and regional coordination.

‎According to a statement by the Media Consultant Ono Akpe and made available to our correspondent via email, president Bola Tinubu is expected as the special guest while the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon Mia Amor Mottley, will be the keynote speaker.

‎Ogan stated that the recent Niger Delta Business Roundtable brought together policy-making leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, development institutions, and strategic stakeholders from across the nine Niger Delta states, and that the clear message from the event was for the region to transit from ambition to implementation.

‎The NDCCITMA Secretary and chairman of the summit local organising committee, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said the economic and investment summit was a strategic initiative designed to reposition the region as a competitive hub for investment, enterprise development, and sustainable industrialisation.

‎Dr. Edebiri noted that the Niger Delta was known for its contribution to Nigeria’s economy through oil and gas, stressing however that its legacy lies on its diverse wealth and its untapped opportunities, which the summit seeks to highlight and unlock.

‎He added that the organising committee has lined up various activities to promote the event, including a road show across the Niger Delta states, in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory as well as a follow-up press conference.

Present at the press conference are Chief Kelechi Obilor Financial Secretary, (NDCCITM), Boma Jack; Board Member (NDCCITMA), Hon Marcel Odunze; Board Member, amongst others.