The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action over the recurring collapse of Nigeria’s electricity grid, describing the power sector as a failed privatisation experiment that has delivered “darkness, exploitation and economic pain.”

Speaking at the annual conference of women and youth organised by the National Union of Electricity Employees in Abuja, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, issued what he termed a final warning to authorities and operators. He insisted that organised labour would resist further tariff increases or policies that worsen hardship without corresponding improvement in electricity supply.

Ajaero lamented that more than a decade after the unbundling and sale of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria successor companies, electricity generation has remained between 4,000 and 5,000 megawatts, levels comparable to the pre-privatisation era, despite growing population and industrial demand.

Describing the situation as shameful, he called for a comprehensive review of the sector.

“We once again sound the alarm on the deplorable state of the nation’s electricity sector. We declare that the failed privatisation experiment has plunged Nigerian workers, women, youth and industries into deeper energy poverty as the national grid continues to collapse while DISCOs persistently reject loads from the Transmission Company of Nigeria,” he said.

Ajaero accused private investors of acquiring distribution (DISCOs) and generation (GENCOs) companies with borrowed funds, arguing that consumers are now being burdened with high tariffs to offset those loans.

He also criticised the band classification system for electricity consumers, describing it as “institutionalised extortion.”

“Band A consumers pay through their noses but still receive epileptic supply. This government is asking Nigerians to pay for darkness. Electricity is a right, not a commodity to be auctioned to the highest bidder while the poor are left in the dark,” he said.

The NLC president further questioned reports of a planned bailout for generation companies, insisting there was no justification for public funds to support private firms that have failed to deliver.

Ajaero urged the Federal Government to revert the sector to what he described as a social service model, arguing that only the state can undertake the heavy capital investment and long gestation required for sustainable electricity supply.

He called for a national stakeholders’ summit involving workers, unions, manufacturers and experts to develop a roadmap focused on affordable and stable electricity, reversal of the privatisation framework, and increased public investment in infrastructure.

Nigeria has long struggled with inadequate power generation and frequent system collapses, with available supply falling significantly short of installed capacity. In recent months, the Federal Government has outlined reform measures aimed at settling sector debts, improving infrastructure and moving towards cost-reflective tariffs.