NLC Rejects N6trn Power Bailout, Calls for Sector Reforms

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has opposed the Federal Government’s proposed N6 trillion bailout for power generation companies, arguing that previous financial interventions have failed to improve electricity supply across the country.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the position known in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, stressing the need for urgent structural reforms in the energy sector.
He described the proposed bailout as a reflection of deeper systemic challenges, noting that repeated injections of public funds have not translated into better power delivery for Nigerians. According to him, the current system continues to place a heavy burden on citizens through high tariffs and persistent outages.
Ajaero called on the Federal Government to merge the Ministries of Petroleum and Power into a single Ministry of Energy to improve coordination and address inefficiencies, particularly in gas supply for thermal power generation.
He said adopting an integrated energy framework would help prioritise domestic electricity needs and support national development.
The labour leader further urged the government to suspend the planned bailout, insisting that public funds should not be used to sustain what he described as failed private investments.
He emphasised that electricity should be treated as a social service and a fundamental right rather than a profit-driven commodity, to ensure affordable and reliable supply for Nigerians.
Ajaero also called for the convening of a stakeholders’ summit to develop a people-centred roadmap for the power sector, with policies focused on public interest, energy security, and improved welfare for citizens and workers.