NLC Demands Power Sector Audit, Rejects Further Subsidies for Discos and Gencos

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the federal government to carry out a comprehensive audit of the country’s power sector infrastructure and review the current privatisation framework. The demand follows Wednesday’s national grid collapse which plunged large parts of the nation into darkness.

In a statement, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, urged the government to stop using public funds to subsidise privately owned electricity distribution and generation companies. He said the trillions already spent in the sector should instead be invested in building public-driven power generation and transmission infrastructure.

“Since the government has N4 trillion to invest in the sector, we suggest that the funds be redirected towards a public-led initiative to build new generation capacity and revitalise transmission infrastructure rather than handing it over to Gencos and Discos,” Ajaero said.
“This is not a plea; it is a declaration of intent. The light must come on by any means necessary.”

The NLC president also renewed calls for a fundamental review of the privatisation model, stressing that Nigerians will no longer tolerate “man-made” blackouts or accept what he described as a “deliberate failure” by authorities.

According to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), the grid collapsed at 11:20 a.m. on Wednesday after a generating plant tripped, triggering a nationwide chain reaction. At the onset, Ibadan Disco had just 20MW of supply. By 8:21 p.m., generation had recovered to 1,583MW, with Abuja Disco allocated 243MW, Ikeja 239MW, and Eko 204MW.

NISO confirmed that restoration efforts began at 11:45 a.m. with supply from the Shiroro power plant and that a full investigation into the incident is underway.

Meanwhile, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric and Kano Disco had earlier informed customers of widespread outages across their networks. Kano Disco appealed for patience as restoration continued and urged customers to safeguard installations from vandalism during the blackout.