The Nigeria Labour Congress has issued a scathing response to the recent claim by Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that 150 million Nigerians now enjoy “adequate electricity” with just 5,500 megawatts of power.
The NLC described the statement as delusional and deeply insensitive, stating that it had sparked a nationwide backlash from workers, energy experts, and citizens who continue to endure chronic power outages.
In a statement signed by NLC’s President, Joe Ajaero, the union called Adelabu’s claim “a joke taken too far,” slamming it as an insult to the intelligence and daily suffering of Nigerians.
“For the minister to suggest that 150 million Nigerians have access to reliable power on the back of an unstable 5,500MW is to spit on the live realities of millions who spend their nights in darkness and their days battling power failures,” Ajaero declared. This is not governance, it is propaganda masquerading as policy,” he stated.
The NLC emphasised that global standards demand at least 1,000MW per one million people, meaning Nigeria should be generating no less than 150,000MW to meet current needs. Instead, the country struggles to maintain a mere fraction of that, with no visible improvement in infrastructure or distribution.
The union further condemned the power sector privatisation of 2013 as a “grand betrayal” that transferred national assets into private hands for N400bn with no significant improvement to show.
“Yet, these same private companies, the Discos (distribution companies) and Gencos (generation companies) have received over N4tn in subsidies without delivering consistent service,” it mentioned.
“The so-called reform is nothing more than organised profiteering. You want to sell the only remaining public power asset, Transmission Company of Nigeria, after years of failure by Discos and Gencos? That is not reform; that is theft in a suit?” NLC said.
The NLC also denounced the recent electricity tariff hikes under the “Band A, B, C” system, describing the system as a tool for legalised exploitation.
“Millions now must choose between food and power bills. Meanwhile, the real workers in the sector are underpaid, while top regulators and power barons enrich themselves,” Ajaero said.
The union vowed to continue exposing what it called “a festering cartel of lies” and to resist all moves that threaten the rights and welfare of Nigerians.
“Our message to the Minister is simple: Nigerians want power in their homes not power plays on television. Let there be light, not lies,” Ajaero concluded.
