The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the ₦8 billion allocated in the 2025 federal budget to raise public awareness about the need to pay electricity bills, describing the move as “absurd.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero expressed strong opposition to the initiative, which was proposed by the Federal Ministry of Power. According to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, the funds are intended to address issues such as power theft, poor payment habits, and the protection of national power infrastructure. Adelabu explained during his budget defense at the National Assembly that the campaign would utilize various media platforms—including social, digital, and print channels—to reach Nigeria’s population of over 200 million. He emphasized the importance of educating citizens that electricity is not a free resource and that safeguarding infrastructure is crucial for ensuring a stable power supply.
Reacting to the proposal, Ajaero criticized the ministry for what he called misplaced priorities and gross mismanagement in the power sector. He urged both the Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to focus on revitalizing the sector to prevent its total collapse. In a statement titled "Before the Collapse of the Power Sector: ₦8 Billion Budget for Electricity Bill Sensitization and Matters Arising," Ajaero highlighted systemic corruption and the repeated failure of leadership to provide lasting solutions to Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
He remarked that while the ministry is requesting billions for public sensitization, contractors in the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are reportedly owed over ₦200 billion. Ajaero also criticized the inability of the ministry to avert frequent grid collapses, noting that under the current leadership, grid failures have occurred more frequently than ever before. He described these failures as evidence of incompetence and suggested that those responsible should resign.
The NLC accused NERC of complicity in unethical practices, pointing to a recent incident where a whistleblower was allegedly sacked for exposing corruption within a distribution company (DISCO). This, according to the NLC, reflects a lack of transparency and accountability in the agency responsible for regulating the power sector.
The NLC called on the government to address the systemic issues plaguing the power sector rather than allocating funds to campaigns. It warned that continued mismanagement would deepen public distrust in government institutions and exacerbate the economic hardships faced by Nigerians. The statement concluded with a commitment to hold the government accountable, cautioning against further misuse of public funds and hinting at possible mobilization against wasteful expenditures.
