By Obinna Uballa
What was meant to be a solemn leadership transition at the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja quickly turned into a moment of unintended national comedy when a sudden power outage interrupted proceedings mid-ceremony.
The blackout occurred on Wednesday when former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun officially handed over to Tunji Disu.
The New Diplomat had reported that President Bola Tinubu appointed Disu as Acting IGP following the resignation of Egbetokun on Monday.
As dignitaries, senior officers, journalists and invited guests gathered for the formal handover, the lights abruptly went out, momentarily throwing the hall into darkness. Within minutes, video clips of the incident began circulating online, igniting a wave of reactions across social media.
For many Nigerians, the episode was a painfully familiar reminder of the country’s long-running electricity challenges, often colloquially referred to as “NEPA taking light”, a throwback to the former National Electric Power Authority. The country experienced multiple national grid collapses last year, a trend that has continued this year, deepening public frustration over erratic power supply.
Yet amid the awkwardness, it was the master of ceremonies who drew praise for attempting to lighten the mood. In one widely shared clip, the MC is heard calmly appealing to attendees: “Please be careful with the light switches please,” a line that instantly became meme material.
On X (formerly Twitter), reactions poured in, blending humor with social commentary.
A User MaziTundeEdnut, @originalproflle, wrote: “NEPA took light during IG handover, MC lie ontop switch head say ‘Please be careful with the light switches please.’”
Morris Monye, @Morris_Monye, described the scene as quintessentially Nigerian: “This is as Nigeria as it gets. Looks ominous too.”
Another user, Nfunaala (@TochiPN), drew parallels to past high-profile blackouts: “If Nepa can take light when Buhari was talking as a sitting president, who is IGP.”
Obiasogu David (@afrisagacity) painted a vivid picture of the moment: “The new IGP just took the stage to address the press, including a global audience, when NEPA cut power. The MC tried to do damage control, but everyone already knew what happened! NEPA welcomed the IGP with darkness and showed the world the stuff we are made of!”
Despite the disruption, Disu – a seasoned officer who previously served in the Lagos command – proceeded with his remarks once power was restored. He focused on professionalism, operational efficiency and public safety, outlining his vision for strengthening the force.
