The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has described as “absurd” the Federal Government’s allocation of N8 billion in the 2025 budget to sensitize Nigerians on the importance of paying electricity bills.
This was revealed in a statement signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday, following the Federal Ministry of Power’s budget proposal.
During the 2025 budget defense at the National Assembly, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, explained that the initiative aims to curb power theft, improve payment compliance, and protect national power assets. He stated the campaign would utilize social, digital, and print media to educate Nigeria’s population of over 200 million.
Adelabu stressed the need for nationwide reorientation, emphasizing that electricity is not free and infrastructure must be preserved for a stable power supply.
NLC’s Response: A Call for Accountability
Reacting to the proposal, Ajaero criticized the Ministry of Power for prioritizing sensitization over addressing the sector’s critical issues. In a statement titled, “Before the Collapse of the Power Sector: N8 Billion Budget for Electricity Bill Sensitization and Matters Arising,” he highlighted persistent corruption, incompetence, and mismanagement in the sector.
He questioned the rationale for allocating such funds while contractors in the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are owed over N200 billion, leading to stalled projects and inefficiencies.
Ajaero also cited the rising frequency of national grid collapses, attributing it to incompetence within the ministry and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). He criticized NERC’s failure to enforce accountability, citing the dismissal of a whistleblower at a DISCO as an example of unethical practices in the sector.
NLC Demands Immediate Action
The NLC demanded urgent reforms in the power sector, calling for:
- Greater transparency and accountability from NERC and the Ministry of Power.
- Proper allocation of public funds to address infrastructure challenges and contractor debts.
- A halt to frivolous expenditures such as the proposed sensitization campaign.
The union warned that failure to address these issues would further erode public trust and worsen Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
“We will not stand idly by while public funds are wasted in the name of governance,” Ajaero declared, adding that the NLC would mobilize action if necessary to prevent misuse of the budget process.
The statement underscores the pressing need for effective leadership and policy reform to save Nigeria’s power sector from total collapse.
