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Sarz Reflects on Nigeria’s Power Woes: “I Have Never Experienced 24-Hour Electricity”
Ace Nigerian producer and music executive Osabuohien Osaretin, widely known as Sarz, has opened up about the persistent infrastructure challenges in Nigeria, revealing that he has never experienced round-the-clock electricity in the country.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Afropolitan Podcast, the 36-year-old beatmaker highlighted how inconsistent power supply negatively affects the creative industry, especially music production.
“I was born and raised in this country and I have never experienced electricity for 24 hours,” Sarz lamented, underscoring a reality that many Nigerian creatives continue to navigate daily.
He explained that inspiration often strikes at unpredictable moments, but without stable electricity, translating ideas into finished work becomes a challenge.
“There are times when I wake up feeling inspired and I want to create music but there is no light. Sometimes, even when you want to buy fuel, they will tell you there is a strike or scarcity. And then you end up doing nothing and the potential just wastes,” he said.
For Sarz, creativity is as much about mental readiness as it is about resources. He noted that the absence of reliable infrastructure hampers artists and producers who rely heavily on studio equipment and electricity to execute their craft.
“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,” he emphasized.
The producer’s reflections shed light on a broader concern facing Nigeria’s creative economy, highlighting how systemic challenges continue to impact even the country’s most celebrated talents.