The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the resignation of Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and other ministry officials, citing frequent collapses of the national power grid and a deteriorating electricity sector.

NLC President Joe Ajaero, in a statement late Tuesday, expressed concern over the state of the sector, describing it as on the brink of total collapse.

“If the Ministry of Power were led by competent officials, the now-embarrassing constant grid collapses would have been averted. Instead, the Minister’s comments suggest this is acceptable as a norm,” Ajaero said.

He accused the ministry of incompetence, adding, “The number of grid collapses under this administration surpasses those in our nation’s entire history. Rather than offering excuses, Nigerians deserve serious governance.”

Criticism of Budget Allocations and NERC

Ajaero also criticised the proposed allocation of ₦8 billion in the 2025 budget for sensitising Nigerians on paying electricity bills, questioning its necessity amidst significant sector challenges.

“The Power sector is at the brink of collapse, with helmsmen demonstrating gross incompetence. Meanwhile, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), despite its broad powers under the Electricity Act of 2023, has failed to regulate effectively or fulfil its duties to consumers,” he stated.

He highlighted unpaid contractors at the Transmission Company of Nigeria, who are owed over ₦200 billion, and noted that unions had to intervene in December 2024 to prevent further financial mismanagement.

Regulatory Failures and Whistleblower Punishment

The NLC also accused NERC of punishing whistleblowers instead of rewarding and protecting them, calling this behavior a clear dereliction of regulatory responsibility.

“NERC’s actions show it is unwilling to fulfil its mandate of transparency and efficiency,” Ajaero said.

Commitment to Accountability

The NLC vowed to monitor the sector closely to prevent the misuse of public funds.

“We will not stand idly by while governance wastes public resources. Our position is clear: incompetence must not be rewarded, and those responsible must be held accountable,” Ajaero concluded.