The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong rebuke to Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, over his recent claim that 150 million Nigerians now have access to “adequate electricity” with a power generation capacity of 5,500 megawatts (MW). In a statement released on April 23, 2025, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero labeled the minister’s assertion as “outrageous” and “a bad joke,” emphasizing that it insults the intelligence and lived experiences of Nigerians who continue to face persistent power outages and high electricity tariffs.​

Questioning the Minister’s Claims

The NLC challenged the validity of Minister Adelabu’s statement, highlighting the disparity between the claimed figures and the reality on the ground. The Congress pointed out that Nigeria’s power generation remains inconsistent and far below global standards.​

“For the Minister to suggest that over 150 million Nigerians have access to reliable power in a country that struggles to generate a meager and inconsistent 5,000 megawatts—far below the global benchmark of 1,000MW per one million people—is to insult the intelligence and lived realities of Nigerians,” the NLC stated. ​

The Congress further questioned the existence of power plants capable of achieving such output and the necessary transmission infrastructure to support it. “Where are the power plants that make this level of supply possible? Where is the upgraded transmission infrastructure to support such output? Why are our homes still shrouded in darkness and our factories shutting down daily?” the NLC asked. ​

Critique of Power Sector Privatization

The NLC attributed the ongoing power crisis to the 2013 privatization of the power sector, which it claims handed over critical infrastructure to private entities without significant improvements in service delivery. The Congress expressed concern over plans to privatize the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), warning that such moves could further entrench inefficiencies and exploitation.​

“The crisis we face today is the direct result of the grand betrayal that was the 2013 power sector privatization—an exercise that handed over the nation’s critical infrastructure to cronies for just N400 billion. Over a decade later, there has been no improvement in service delivery,” the NLC noted. ​

Condemnation of Tariff Hikes

The Congress also condemned recent electricity tariff increases, describing them as a “sophisticated scheme to legalize exploitation.” It criticized the classification of consumers into Bands A, B, and C, arguing that the changes have not translated into improved power supply but have instead burdened consumers financially.​

“Millions of Nigerians are now forced to choose between food and electricity bills. It is apparent that those who preside over the helms of affairs have either lost their sense of humanity or do not entirely care about the consequences of their actions on the masses who are undergoing the most severe hardship in our history as a nation,” the NLC stated. ​

Minister’s Clarification

Following the backlash, Minister Adelabu, through his Special Adviser on Communications, Bolaji Tunji, clarified that his statement referred to the number of Nigerians connected to the national grid, acknowledging that electricity supply remains unstable. “What the Minister meant is that 150 million Nigerians are connected and have electricity when there is light. However, we acknowledge that electricity may not always be available the way people want it, which is what the Ministry is working to improve,” Tunji explained. ​

Call for Accountability and Reform

The NLC urged the government to prioritize genuine reforms in the power sector, focusing on expanding generation capacity, upgrading transmission infrastructure, and ensuring fair billing practices. It called for transparency and accountability in the management of the sector to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.​

“Nigerians deserve more respect. If you generate, transmit, and distribute more power, we will see it in our homes and factories; not on the pages of newspapers and on television,” the Congress emphasized. ​

Conclusion

The NLC’s strong rebuke of Minister Adelabu’s statements underscores the frustration of Nigerians with the state of the country’s power sector. As the government continues to navigate challenges in electricity provision, the Congress’s call for tangible improvements and honest communication reflects the urgent need for effective solutions to Nigeria’s energy crisis.