NLC Insists On Power Sector Probe After Nationwide Blackout

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded a comprehensive audit of the power sector following Wednesday’s national grid collapse that threw large parts of the country into darkness.

In a strongly worded statement, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, faulted the current privatisation arrangement, insisting that government funds should no longer be used to prop up electricity companies.

He argued that the trillions already sunk into the sector should instead be invested directly in building new generation plants and revamping transmission facilities.

“If government has N4 trillion to commit, let it go into public-led infrastructure, not into the pockets of Gencos and Discos,” Ajaero said. “This is not a plea; it is a declaration. Nigerians deserve uninterrupted electricity, and the light must come on.”

The union also called for what it described as a “fundamental review” of the privatisation model, stressing that the arrangement has failed to deliver steady power supply after more than a decade.

“The era of excuses is over. Citizens will no longer accept avoidable blackouts or manufactured crises in the energy chain,” the statement read.

Wednesday’s collapse was confirmed by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), which reported that the grid crashed at about 11:20 a.m. after a generating company tripped, triggering a domino effect on other facilities.

Initial reports showed that Ibadan Disco was left with just 20MW at the onset. But by 8:21 p.m., national supply had risen to 1,583MW, with Abuja, Ikeja and Eko Discos receiving 243MW, 239MW and 204MW respectively.

NISO disclosed that restoration began with the Shiroro power station at 11:45 a.m., even as it assured that investigations into the collapse were underway.

Meanwhile, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric and Kano Disco had earlier issued public notices warning customers of prolonged outages. Kano Disco also appealed for patience, urging residents to guard installations against vandals during the blackout.