NLC Slams Minister of Power Over “False” Electricity Claims, Calls for Accountability in Power Sector

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a scathing rebuttal to claims made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that over 150 million Nigerians currently enjoy adequate electricity supply, fueled by a generation capacity of 5,500 megawatts (MW). In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero accused the minister of peddling propaganda and misleading the public with “statistical gymnastics.”

The NLC argued that such claims are far removed from the harsh realities faced by millions of Nigerians who continue to suffer chronic electricity shortages. According to global standards, the NLC stated, at least 1,000MW of power should be available per one million people—meaning Nigeria should be generating no less than 150,000MW to meet current demand. Instead, the country struggles to maintain an inconsistent output that rarely reaches 5,500MW.

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Electricity Supply Claim: “A Bad Joke on the People”

“This wild assertion is not only pretentious, it is a bad joke on a people daily confronted by grinding darkness, outrageous electricity tariffs, and a power sector manipulated for private profit at the expense of national progress,” the statement read.

The NLC questioned the basis for the minister’s claim, asking: “Where are the power plants that make this level of supply possible? Where is the upgraded transmission infrastructure to support such output?” They challenged the government to provide concrete evidence of improvements in power generation and distribution infrastructure.

The union also condemned the tiered tariff system under the Band A, B, and C classifications, branding it a “legalised exploitation” of citizens. Despite electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) raking in over ₦700 billion from consumers, the NLC said there is no visible improvement in service quality.

Privatization Fallout and Continued Failures

The NLC attributed the sector’s failures to the flawed 2013 privatization of Nigeria’s power infrastructure, calling it a “grand betrayal” that transferred public assets to political cronies for just ₦400 billion. Over a decade later, the union said, the expected transformation has not materialized. Instead, the same distribution (DISCOs) and generation companies (GenCos) have continued to underperform, despite receiving over ₦4 trillion in public subsidies.

“Unfortunately, and predictably too, there has been no sanction for incompetent DISCOs and GenCos as outlined in the privatization agreement because the buyers seem to be the same as the sellers,” Ajaero stated.

The union also warned against the government’s proposal to privatize the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), describing it as a deceptive move disguised as reform. “This is not reform; it is an economic ruse dressed in bureaucratic doublespeak,” the statement added.

“Let There Be Light—Not Lies”

The NLC urged the Minister of Power to stop making statements that insult the intelligence of Nigerians. “Our final word to the Minister of Power: Nigerians are tired of propaganda and statistical gymnastics. Cease from insulting the intelligence of the people with fabrications and false hope. Let there be light—not lies,” the statement concluded.

As Nigeria’s electricity crisis deepens, the NLC’s remarks have reignited national debates on accountability, service delivery, and the long-standing structural deficiencies within the power sector. With growing public frustration, citizens are demanding not just power—but transparency, fairness, and tangible progress.