The Nigeria Labour Congress has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N6 trillion bailout for power generation companies, insisting that years of financial support have not delivered better electricity for Nigerians.
NLC President Joe Ajaero stated the union’s position in a statement issued on Sunday, March 22, in Abuja.
He argued that the bailout proposal addresses symptoms rather than the root causes of the power sector’s problems.
“The proposed ₦6 trillion bailout is a mere symptom of deeper structural failures in the power sector, and repeated financial interventions have not translated into improved electricity supply for Nigerians,” Ajaero said.
“We cannot continue to deploy public funds to sustain a fundamentally flawed system, while ordinary citizens bear the burden of inefficiency through high tariffs and persistent outages.”
Rather than approve another financial package, Ajaero urged the government to pursue structural changes in how the energy sector is managed.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Power Sector Liabilities Projected to Hit ₦6.2trn by Year-End
He specifically recommended merging the Ministries of Petroleum and Power into a unified Ministry of Energy to eliminate inefficiencies and improve coordination.
The NLC president noted that the current separation of both ministries has caused problems, especially in supplying gas to thermal power plants.
He said an integrated approach would ensure that domestic electricity needs receive adequate attention and support broader national development.
Ajaero maintained that electricity should be regarded as a social service rather than a purely commercial venture.
“Electricity must be treated as a social service and a fundamental right, not a profit-driven commodity, if Nigeria is to achieve affordable and reliable power supply,” he said.
“The current framework places undue burden on citizens, and reform must prioritise service delivery, public interest and the overall welfare of Nigerian workers.”
The labour leader called for an immediate halt to the bailout plan, describing it as an attempt to use public money to prop up failed private investments.
He also proposed that the government convene a stakeholders’ summit to develop a reform agenda that places citizens at the centre of energy policy.
Ajaero stressed the importance of policies that advance public interest, strengthen energy security, and improve conditions for workers and ordinary Nigerians.