The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lashed out at Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, over his recent claim that 150 million Nigerians now enjoy “adequate electricity,” calling it a “blatant insult” to citizens grappling with relentless blackouts and power failures.
In a fiery statement on Wednesday, the NLC described Adelabu’s remark—made despite the country’s inconsistent 5,500 megawatts (MW) power generation—as “a bad joke” detached from the reality of millions who live in darkness daily.
“For the Minister to suggest that over 150 million Nigerians have access to reliable power in a country struggling with just 5,500MW is to insult the intelligence and lived realities of Nigerians,” the NLC said.
According to global standards, Nigeria should be generating at least 150,000MW to meet the needs of its over 200 million people. The NLC questioned where the Minister’s magical numbers came from.
“Where are the power plants? Where is the upgraded transmission infrastructure? Why are our homes still shrouded in darkness and our factories shutting down daily?” the statement queried.
The union accused the government of ignoring the everyday hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians, many of whom live without electricity, while those with access endure erratic supply, arbitrary disconnections, and skyrocketing tariffs.
Revisiting the 2013 power sector privatisation, the NLC declared it a monumental failure, arguing that the process handed national infrastructure to cronies for N400 billion with no meaningful service improvements to date.
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“After 12 years of privatisation, there’s no significant capacity expansion. No infrastructure renewal. Just the same GenCos and DISCOs failing to deliver while Nigerians suffer,” the NLC said.
Even more alarming, the union noted, is the over N4 trillion earmarked in public subsidies for private operators that have shown little to no progress in addressing Nigeria’s power crisis.
The NLC also slammed plans to privatise the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), warning it would only deepen the exploitation of Nigerians.
“This is not reform. It is a shameless economic ruse,” the statement added.
On the recent electricity tariff hikes disguised under Band A, B, and C classifications, the NLC said it is a “sophisticated scheme to legalise exploitation.” They noted that DISCOs continue to rake in billions while failing to deliver reliable service, pushing citizens to choose between paying bills or feeding their families.
Concluding its rebuke, the NLC said: “It is apparent that those who preside over the affairs of this country have either lost their sense of humanity or have no regard for the severe hardship their actions are causing the Nigerian people.”