The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the resignation of Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in light of the ongoing collapse of the national power grid. In a statement released late Tuesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed grave concern over the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s electricity sector, which he described as nearing total collapse.
Ajaero criticized the ministry’s handling of the situation, stating, “If the Ministry of Power is manned by competent officials, the now embarrassing constant grid collapse would have been averted.” He emphasized that the frequency of grid failures under the current leadership surpasses that of all previous administrations combined.
Additionally, Ajaero condemned the minister’s proposal to allocate ₦8 billion in the 2025 budget for public sensitization on electricity bill payments, arguing that the focus should be on critical infrastructure rather than frivolous projects. He highlighted the gross incompetence displayed by the ministry, particularly in light of over ₦200 billion owed to contractors in the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
The NLC also criticized the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for failing to fulfill its regulatory duties, citing a recent incident where a whistleblower was allegedly punished for exposing unethical practices.
Ajaero warned that the union would vigilantly monitor developments in the electricity sector and urged the federal government to take immediate action to prevent total collapse. He asserted, “Incompetence must not be rewarded, and those responsible must be held accountable.”
