The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded the resignation of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, following the persistent collapse of the national power grid. In a strongly worded statement issued late Tuesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero criticized the minister’s handling of the electricity sector, describing the situation as a national embarrassment.
Concerns Over Power Grid Failures
Ajaero expressed alarm at the frequency of grid collapses under the minister’s tenure, claiming it surpasses all previous records combined. He described the situation as a clear indication of incompetence within the Ministry of Power.
“If the Ministry of Power was led by competent officials, the now embarrassing constant grid collapse would have been averted instead of the worrying statement by the Minister that this will continue as if this has always been the norm,” Ajaero said. “This is a clear admission of incapacity and failure by the Ministry, and we wonder why they would not do the honourable thing by resigning.”
Criticism of Budget Allocation
The union also condemned the proposed allocation of ₦8 billion in the 2025 budget for a public sensitization campaign on paying electricity bills. According to the NLC, this is a misplaced priority when critical infrastructure in the power sector remains underfunded.
Ajaero highlighted the disparity between the proposed allocation and the over ₦200 billion owed to contractors of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). “Whereas the Minister seeks ₦8 billion to educate us, contractors in the Transmission Company of Nigeria who help in delivering capacity are owed over ₦200 billion. This is a gross misalignment of priorities,” he stated.
Regulatory Body Under Fire
The NLC also took aim at the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), accusing it of failing to fulfill its regulatory duties and protect consumers. Ajaero cited a recent case where NERC allegedly colluded with a distribution company’s board to sack a managing director who exposed unethical practices.
“It is unimaginable that NERC, an organization tasked with ensuring transparency and efficiency, would punish a whistleblower instead of rewarding and protecting them,” he said. “This demonstrates a lack of capacity and an unwillingness to discharge its mandate.”
Call for Accountability and Reform
The NLC president called on the federal government to urgently reinvigorate the electricity sector to prevent total collapse. He warned against using the budget process for wasteful expenditures and emphasized the need for accountability.
“Our position is clear: incompetence must not be rewarded, and those responsible must be held accountable,” Ajaero stated.
The union pledged to continue monitoring developments in the power sector and warned of potential public unrest if the issues are not addressed promptly.
Public Confidence at Stake
The repeated grid collapses and perceived mismanagement of resources have further eroded public trust in the government’s ability to manage the power sector. The NLC’s demands for reform and accountability reflect growing frustration among Nigerians, who continue to face power shortages despite numerous promises of improvement.
As the calls for the minister’s resignation grow louder, the government faces increasing pressure to address the deepening crisis in the electricity sector and restore confidence in its leadership.
