Light Brought Them Home: How Solar Sparked Migration and Growth in Oyo Community

When was the last time you heard of people leaving a town to return to a rural village?

That’s exactly what’s happening in Elekonkan, a community in Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State, and it’s all because of one thing: electricity.

Once overlooked and left in darkness, Elekonkan is now experiencing a quiet transformation. Thanks to a 100kW solar mini-grid providing clean, reliable electricity to over 3,000 people, the town has become a magnet for migration, economic growth, and social renewal.

READ ALSO: “Where There’s No Light, There’s No Enjoyment”: How Solar Power Revived Olokoto

And at the heart of this change stands a community leader who has witnessed both the struggle and the triumph, His Royal Highness, Oba Ige Lawrence Olusola, Alapodun of Apodunland.

“We tried everything back then,” he recalls. “Even in 1991, when I was a counsellor, we pushed to bring electricity here but there was no way. Nothing worked, not even after our tenure.”

For decades, Elekonkan remained in the shadows, excluded from the national grid and forgotten in development plans. But that changed with Nigeria’s policy shift that allowed private companies to electrify underserved areas. Havenhill Synergy stepped in, and on August 10, 2022, the lights finally came on.

“Since that day, this community has changed tremendously – socially, economically, and physically. We’ve seen real development,” the Oba says with pride.

Migration in Reverse: Why People Are Coming Home

Energy access is often seen as a development tool, but in Elekonkan, it has also become a driver of migration. Rather than fleeing to the cities, people are returning to the village.

“Since solar electricity came, our population has increased by at least 25%,” Oba Ige shares. “People are building new homes, investing in this place. The number of houses has increased by about 30%. That’s a great development.”

The return of residents, many from larger towns like Iganna, has not only strengthened the local economy but revived a sense of possibility in Elekonkan.

From Freezers to Fortune: Small Businesses Are Booming

For local entrepreneurs, access to reliable electricity has brought positive change.

“Traders who had just one freezer before now have two or three,” says the Oba. “Now people from other towns come here just to enjoy cold drinks, and those traders make more money to develop themselves and their children.”

Energy has unlocked productivity, created jobs, and enabled the kinds of micro-enterprises, cold rooms, barber shops, frozen goods retail, that simply weren’t feasible before.

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A Model for What’s Possible

Elekonkan’s story is not just a local success but a powerful case study of what energy access can do when paired with vision and policy support. It shows that electricity can reverse migration, attract investment, and give people a reason to return and rebuild their communities.

And at the center of it all is a community that refused to give up.

“We thank God for this light,” Oba Ige says. “It has brought progress. It has brought people. It has brought a future.”

Powered by Havenhill Synergy

Havenhill Synergy is lighting up lives through decentralised solar energy, bringing electricity to underserved communities across Nigeria. The 100kW mini-grid in Elekonkan is one of many examples of our commitment to sustainable development and energy inclusion.

Want to partner with us to power your community or business? Contact our team today.