The President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has criticised Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu over his claim that 150 million Nigerians currently enjoy “adequate electricity” from a supply base of 5,500 megawatts, calling it “a joke too far.”
In a statement, Ajaero described the minister’s comment as “outrageous,” adding that it mocks the daily experiences of Nigerians who continue to suffer from power outages, high electricity tariffs, and a system designed for private gain rather than national development.
“Perhaps, the Minister wants to perform Jesus’ miracle of feeding 5,000 persons with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish,” Ajaero remarked.
He said the statement amounts to an “insult to the intelligence and lived realities of Nigerians,” citing that the country struggles to generate a meagre and unstable 5,000 megawatts well below the international benchmark of 1,000 megawatts per one million people.
“To suggest that over 150 million Nigerians have access to reliable power… is to insult the intelligence and lived realities of Nigerians,” he said.
The NLC asserted that Nigeria would need to generate at least 150,000 megawatts to support such a claim and questioned the infrastructure necessary to deliver it.
“Where are the power plants that make this level of supply possible? Where is the upgraded transmission infrastructure to support such output?” Ajaero asked.
He argued that millions of Nigerians still live in complete darkness, while those with access to power suffer frequent blackouts, arbitrary billing, and risk of disconnection.
Tracing the crisis back to the 2013 power sector privatisation, Ajaero labelled it a “grand betrayal,” stating that the sector was handed to cronies for N400 billion, yet over 10 years later, Nigerians have not seen any improvement.
“Over a decade later, there has been no improvement in service delivery. Yet, these same GenCos and DISCOS… are to receive over N4 trillion in public subsidies with zero accountability,” Ajaero said.
He further criticised plans to privatise the Transmission Company of Nigeria, warning it would only worsen the situation.
“This move is not reform; it is economic ruse dressed in bureaucratic doublespeak,” he warned.
On the recent tariff hikes under the “Band A, B, and C” structure, the NLC described it as a “sophisticated scheme to legalise exploitation,” adding that despite DISCOs collecting over N700 billion from consumers, electricity supply remains epileptic.
Ajaero also lamented the condition of workers in the power sector, stating they are poorly paid and unappreciated, while top officials and private profiteers enrich themselves under a failed regulatory framework.
“This is most unacceptable, and all patriots must speak up against this apparent insensitivity and grandstanding in the name of governance,” the statement said.
The NLC concluded that what is happening in the sector is not reform but “organised profiteering,” vowing not to remain silent.
“We are prepared to deploy all democratic and lawful means to continue to expose and resist all grand deception targeted at the Nigerian masses,” the union declared.
“We will continue in our quest to restore equity and reclaim the power sector for the Nigerian people,” the NLC said.
