NLC
Susan Abayomi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is calling for a complete overhaul of the power sector due to frequent grid collapses and poor electricity supply. NLC President Joe Ajaero stated that the privatization of the power sector has led to “darkness, exploitation, and economic pain” for Nigerians, with electricity generation stagnating at 4,000-5,000 megawatts, the same level as before privatization.
The NLC is demanding a National Stakeholders’ Summit to draft a Power Sector Roadmap prioritizing affordable and stable electricity for all. They also want a reversal of the privatization model and public investment in generation and transmission infrastructure. Ajaero emphasized that electricity is a social service essential for national development, not a luxury for the rich.
The NLC has issued a “final warning” to authorities and power sector operators, threatening industrial action if there’s no improvement. They reject the band classification (A, B, C) as a capitalist tool designed to impoverish the masses, describing it as a backdoor tariff hike without service-reflective delivery.
The NLC also questions the government’s plan to use N3 trillion to bail out power sector operators, calling it a “clandestine move” to settle investors ahead of the 2027 elections. They insist that the state must return the power sector to a social service, citing global examples where profit-driven electricity sectors have inflicted hardship on citizens.
The frequent grid collapses have plunged the nation into darkness, with Distribution Companies (DISCOs) persistently rejecting loads from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). The NLC attributes this to the failed privatization experiment and demands an immediate review of the sector .
The government has been urged to redirect funds meant for bailouts towards public-led initiatives to build new generation capacity and revitalize transmission infrastructure. The NLC emphasizes that Nigerians will no longer tolerate “man-made” blackouts or accept excuses for the sector’s failures.
Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s power sector reforms, highlighting the need for reliable electricity to drive industrial productivity and national development. He stressed the importance of settling outstanding debts to generation companies to unlock additional capacity and stabilize supply .The NLC’s demands reflect the growing frustration among Nigerians with the power sector’s performance.
