The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly opposed the proposed N6 trillion bailout for electricity generation companies (GenCos), warning that it would only provide temporary relief to a deeply flawed power sector.
In a statement, NLC President Joe Ajaero described the persistent crisis in Nigeria’s electricity industry as a heavy burden on workers, manufacturers, and ordinary citizens, who continue to endure poor power supply despite rising costs.
Ajaero accused operators across the electricity value chain—including distribution companies (DisCos) and GenCos—of benefiting from subsidies and repeated tariff hikes while Nigerians “pay for darkness.”
“The power sector has become a perpetual millstone around the necks of Nigerian workers, while crony-capitalist allies in the DisCos and GenCos continue to feast on public resources,” he said.
Rejecting the bailout proposal, the labour union insisted that financial injections alone cannot fix systemic failures.
“We cannot continue to apply bandages to a system that is fundamentally fractured,” the NLC stated.
As part of its reform proposals, the union called for the merger of the Ministries of Power and Petroleum Resources into a single Ministry of Energy, arguing that the current separation has led to inefficiencies particularly in gas supply for thermal power generation.
According to the NLC, a unified structure would ensure accountability and eliminate the blame game between the two sectors.
“For too long, these ministries have operated in silos while the productive base of the economy suffers. A single ministry would ensure one point of responsibility to Nigerians,” the statement added.
The congress also criticised the petroleum sector for prioritising gas exports over domestic energy needs, noting that the power sector continues to struggle with inadequate supply.
On electricity pricing, the NLC demanded a review of the tariff regime, advocating a system where consumers pay based on actual service delivery rather than cost-reflective pricing.
“Nigerians should not be forced to pay for inefficiency and greed. Electricity must be priced based on service, not imposed costs,” the union said.
Reaffirming its long-standing opposition to the privatisation of the power sector, the NLC argued that the 2013 reforms have failed to deliver reliable electricity.
It urged the Federal Government to halt the proposed bailout, initiate structural reforms, and convene a national stakeholders’ summit to develop a sustainable, people-oriented roadmap for the sector.
Warning of broader economic consequences, the union said continued inefficiencies in the power sector could further weaken Nigeria’s economy if urgent action is not taken.
