The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the resignation of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, citing repeated collapses of the national power grid and a lack of progress in addressing the country’s electricity challenges.

In a statement released late Tuesday by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the union expressed grave concerns over what it described as the deteriorating state of Nigeria's electricity sector, warning that the system is nearing total collapse.

Ajaero criticized the Minister of Power for his perceived inability to resolve the frequent grid failures, which have become a persistent problem.

“If the Ministry of Power were managed by competent officials, the embarrassing and constant grid collapses could have been averted,” Ajaero stated. “Instead, the Minister made a worrying statement suggesting that such failures are to be expected, as if this has always been the norm. This is a clear admission of incapacity and failure by the Ministry. If they cannot perform their duties, they should resign.”

The NLC president further alleged that the number of grid failures under the current administration surpasses those recorded under all previous administrations combined.

“Nigerians expect more seriousness in handling their affairs rather than dismissive and unhelpful remarks,” Ajaero said.

Ajaero also criticized the proposed allocation of N8 billion in the 2025 budget for public sensitization on the need to pay electricity bills. He described the proposal as a frivolous expenditure that ignores critical infrastructure needs.

“It is shocking that the Ministry of Power seeks N8 billion to educate Nigerians on paying their electricity bills while contractors at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), who help deliver capacity, are owed over N200 billion,” Ajaero revealed.

The union leader noted that the proposed expenditure highlights the Ministry’s misplaced priorities, especially at a time when the electricity grid is collapsing due to underinvestment and poor management.

The NLC also lambasted the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for failing to fulfill its regulatory duties. Ajaero accused the commission of incompetence and neglecting its responsibility to protect electricity consumers.

“NERC has consistently demonstrated a lack of capacity or outright unwillingness to discharge its responsibilities,” he said.

Ajaero cited an incident where NERC allegedly colluded with the board of a distribution company to sack its managing director after the official exposed unethical practices.

“It is unimaginable that an organization tasked with ensuring transparency and efficiency would punish a whistleblower instead of rewarding and protecting them,” he added.

The NLC emphasized that without accountability and significant reforms, the electricity sector would remain in disarray.

Ajaero concluded by urging the government to prioritize competence, transparency, and accountability in the power sector, warning that continued failures would have dire consequences for the nation’s economy and its citizens.

The union reiterated its demand for the Minister of Power to step down, calling his leadership a liability to the country’s efforts to achieve a stable and reliable electricity supply.