The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has faulted the latest collapse of the national electricity grid, describing it as a direct consequence of poor governance and a failed privatisation model that has left the power sector in perpetual crisis.
In a strongly worded press statement issued on Wednesday, September 11, and signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the union said it was not surprised by the nationwide blackout, insisting the recurring breakdowns are a symptom of “a capitalist ruling class that has deliberately structured the power sector to fail, loot, and exploit citizens.”
According to the NLC, the electricity industry’s troubles are not primarily technical but stem from what it termed “predatory governance and a distorted economic framework” that prioritises profit over public service. It accused successive governments of ignoring citizens and civic groups while embracing policies that entrench inefficiency.
The labour body also criticised recent leadership choices in the sector, pointing specifically to the appointment of a former local government chairman as head of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). It argued that the regulator has become “a toothless bulldog,” more concerned with protecting the interests of distribution and generation companies than ensuring Nigerians enjoy a reliable power supply.
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Beyond governance, the NLC rejected the Federal Government’s proposal to settle ₦4 trillion in debts owed to DisCos. The union described the plan as “an economic betrayal,” warning that such payments would only enrich private operators while leaving the sector structurally broken. Instead, it urged the government to channel resources into rebuilding generation capacity, strengthening transmission infrastructure, and ensuring transparency in regulation.
The most recent grid collapse, which plunged large parts of the country into darkness, occurred after a generation plant tripped, triggering a chain of failures across the network. Industry reports indicate that GenCos have lost billions in recent months due to load rejection and system instability, while available generation capacity has dropped below critical levels.
The NLC has called for a full-scale audit of the power sector since its privatisation in 2013, alongside a review of policies it says have left Nigeria stuck in “a cycle of darkness, inefficiency, and exploitation.”
