Poor power supply has been a major problem bedeviling the growth of businesses and companies operating in Nigeria -- and freelancers, especially -- are among the classes of workers in the country worst hit.

As freelancers (web designers, graphics designers, digital marketers, writers, and so on), delivering jobs on or before deadlines is a key requirement to keep existing clients and win new ones. And stable power supply lies at the heart of this requirement.

Highlighting the import of reliable power supply to the freelancing business is preaching to the choir.

To freelancers based and working in Nigeria: How do you cope with epileptic power supply, a perenial problem that stifles the growth of businesses in this country?

Contributions are also welcome from other concerned/interested parties. Thank you.

Well, power has and will always be an issue. In my office, we have, 24/7 power supply. Throughout the day, I have stable supply of electricity and internet.

Also, I stay in Abuja where we have relatively good supply of electricity. However, if there's no light, my 4.5KVA is on standby (this is applicable only at night and weekends)

mrphysics:
Well, power has and will always be an issue. In my office, we have, 24/7 power supply. Throughout the day, I have stable supply of electricity and internet.

Also, I stay in Abuja where we have relatively good supply of electricity. However, if there's no light, my 4.5KVA is on standby (this is applicable only at night and weekends)

Great submission.

Such a fairly large generator consumes a lot of fuel and isn't an economically viable option.

I am contemplating opting for (mini) solar power or getting a smaller generator. I don't know how reliable the former option is, and the latter may not be durable even though it is fuel-efficient.

F

gensteejay:
Poor power supply has been a major problem bedeviling the growth of businesses and companies operating in Nigeria -- and freelancers, especially -- are among the classes of workers in the country worst hit.

As freelancers (web designers, graphics designers, digital marketers, writers, and so on), delivering jobs on or before deadlines is a key requirement to keep existing clients and win new ones. And stable power supply lies at the heart of this requirement.

Highlighting the import of reliable power supply to the freelancing business is preaching to the choir.

To freelancers based and working in Nigeria: How do you cope with epileptic power supply, a perenial problem that stifles the growth of businesses in this country?

Contributions are also welcome from other concerned/interested parties. Thank you.

Cc: mrphy.sics, Gr.upo, So.Nature, Em.myk, czarina, ewawumi, geloorrrrdd, et al.

Where I currently live in Jos is close to a teaching hospital and as such light is relatively constant.


Before then though, it was crappy and still is sometimes, so what I did was get two INEC powerbanks, that didn't solve the problem as much as I expected. I later got a medium size Firman generator early this year.


How it works now is; I charge the powerbanks round the clock with Nepa light, then use on blackout or brown out days. When it runs out, I power the banks with the generator for 6hours while working as well.


That way. I'm never out of power.

Again, Jos has been good because I've been using 3k fuel for over 4months. I still have a full tank and some in the gallon.

gensteejay:

Great submission.

Such a fairly large generator, which is the option I currently use, consumes a lot of fuel and isn't an economically viable option for me, especially since I don't enjoy 24-hour power supply like you.

I am contemplating opting for (mini) solar power or getting a smaller generator. I don't know how reliable the former option is, and the latter may not be durable even though it is fuel-efficient.

If I tell you that power is not my challenge, then I am a big liar.

To tackle that challenge, I once thought of MTN/Lumos solar electricity. I went to MTN office at Ikeja to make inquiries.

From the info I gathered, you may make a one-time payment of N250k or 25k or so and renew it with about 5k monthly. You still make an installation payment of 2k.

Sincerely, I was ready to go by the second option until I was told that there was no guarantee it could power my TV (and it cannot power my fan either). I walked away at once .

Later, I spoke with some friends at Computer Village about laptop power bank, they told me it's a China-made product that you should never consider buying. Sadly, I ran out of options.

But what helps me greatly now is that I have two laptops and a 1.9HP generator. So, whenever I put my gen on, I charge the two laptops. When they run down, I charge them again.

Well, I work from my home. And in my street, Ikeja Electric rations our power...two days on, one day off.

My saving grace is that I write, so I don't spend time online. For some reason, the Internet drains devices' batteries.

However, I look forward to relocating to a part of Lagos with more stable power supply just to cut running cost. As it is now, there is no assurance of 12 hours power supply the days we are supposed to have power.

SoNature:


If I tell you that power is not my challenge, then I am a big liar.

To tackle that challenge, I once thought of MTN/Lumos solar electricity. I went to MTN office at Ikeja to make inquiries.

From the info I gathered, you may make a one-time payment of N250k or 25k or so and renew it with about 5k monthly. You still make an installation payment of 2k.

Sincerely, I was ready to go by the second option until I was told that there was no guarantee it could power my TV (and it cannot power my fan either). I walked away at once .

Later, I spoke with some friends at Computer Village about laptop power bank, they told me it's a China-made product that you should never consider buying. Sadly, I ran out of options.

But what helps me greatly now is that I have two laptops and a 1.9HP generator. So, whenever I put my gen on, I charge the two laptops. When they run down, I charge them again.

Well, I work from my home. And in my street, Ikeja Electric rations our power...two days on, one day off.

My saving grace is that I write, so I don't spend time online. For some reason, the Internet drains devices' batteries.

However, I look forward to relocating to a part of Lagos with more stable power supply just to cut running cost. As it is now, there is no assurance of 12 hours power supply the days we are supposed to have power.

Thanks for your input.

Unbanned

Generator has always been the saving grace since I started my freelancing journey.

I live in a part of Abuja where we can't boast of 12hours power supply and the saddening part is 2 minutes walk down my street, they enjoy steady power supply, at least 20 -22hours supply daily. I have a friend there, so I go to his place few times to charge my laptops.

I use two laptops to edit and produce audio podcasts for my clients and the laptops have a combined power of about 7hours.

There is also a 2.5KVa generator at home that I often use. I plan buying a UPS this month or next that has at least, 10hours battery juice.

Nigeria's biggest challenge remains power. With power, almost everything will seamlessly fall in line. Generators are the only solution right now and they suck with all the noise they produce. But we don't have a choice.

Seun, lalasticlala, puskin, kindly push this thread to front page to get more contributions. Both upcoming and established freelancers can benefit from this thread. Thank you.

This thread isn't for me... My area doesn't even have a transformer to begin with. It's been 5 months now

I get 3 to 4hrs of light daily n I use the light to charge my inverter battery. Three good hours of charging of my inverter battery can give me about 10hrs good hours of steady light cos I use energy saver appliances from TV to electric bulbs.

Buy Solar + Inverter + battery and you'd forever be grateful to God, because some fools are quick to write petition to the police or EFCC if you run a 24/7 Gen lifestyle to stay online, and they dont see you going for a 9-5 desk job.

Mtn Lumious is cheap on installmental plan but you can buy a better system on alibaba that powers a dc fan, light bulb in four rooms, power Laptops and phones. If you have a dc tv you're good to go, or an Low power AC Tv,
.

last last you would almost be tempted to sell or dash out your generator

How does everybody else cope in Nigeria?

How do other businesses that rely on electricity cope?

I freelance in my spare time, but this question reeks of attention seeking in my honest opinion.

Almost every Nigerian has to contend with epileptic power supply in one way or the other. From the small artisan shop around the corner to the big multinational companies in posh and lush locations.

A freelancer is no exception to the rule, neither is their struggle any different.

it's not easy

alaricsaltzman:
This thread isn't for me... My area doesn't have a transformer to begin with.

That means you guys are not even on the national grid to begin with

I have two laptops (Same brand)
One spare battery
One solar kit
One rechargeable fan

Generator.

Power is definitely a necessity for me as a writer. I do technical writing, hence, I spend a large chunk of the time researching about the subject matter online which is usually power consuming.

At least, for now my saving grace is because I'm based in an academic environment. FUTA to be precise. Sufficient power is available on most days, coupled with free access to the WiFi.

In summary, I don't have any generator

joey150:
How does everybody else cope in Nigeria?

How do other businesses that rely on electricity cope?

I freelance in my spare time, but this question reeks of attention seeking in my honest opinion.

Almost every Nigerian has to contend with epileptic power supply in one way or the other. From the small artisan shop around the corner to the big multinational companies in posh and lush locations.

A freelancer is no exception to the rule, neither is their struggle any different.

There's always that ONE person. Always!

Nigeria the land of DARKNESS.. I don't think there will ever be a stable light in Nigeria till white JESUS return..

Cope?


Lol.


Epileptic power supply is in our DNA as Nigerians. If power stays on for too long, we start getting worried like something bad is gonna happen

It is fair enough where I am but when the the doesnt show, na them my anger go dey puff of, e go be like the world don shut down. Nigeria needs to help herself on the light issue, we are too big to amount to nothing...

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You can't just keep swearing for fasholas generation

Somewhere in Ekiti state, there has been no light since February 14, 2014. The people there did not die.

Kobicove:


That means you guys are not even on the national grid to begin with

Of what use is a National grid that transmits darkness? Are you not in the same boat?

AloyalNigerian:


There's always that ONE person. Always!

There always have to be. There's always that one saviour, that one genius that has to redeem the whole of mankind.


There always have to be. Haha.

I literally have no idea what you're on about...but ok.

kaen1317:
Generator.

This thing dey consume money eh!

Emmyk:
I use two laptops to edit and produce audio podcasts for my clients and the laptops have a combined power of about 7hours.

There is also a 2.5KVa generator at home that I often use. I plan buying a UPS this month or next that has at least, 10hours battery juice.

What are the models/specs of the laptops and do you use any spare batteries?