The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Joe Ajaero, has delivered a scathing criticism of Nigeria’s electricity sector, describing it as “the biggest scam in the country.”
Ajaero made the remarks during an interview with Vanguard, where he expressed deep concerns over the current state of the nation’s power industry and the long-standing challenges facing electricity generation, transmission, and distribution across the country.
According to the labour leader, the power sector has allegedly fallen under the control of powerful interests who continue to benefit from the inefficiencies and struggles experienced by ordinary Nigerians. He questioned the real intentions behind the privatization of the electricity industry, arguing that the process has failed to deliver the promised improvements in power supply and service delivery.
“Was the privatization truly meant to improve electricity for Nigerians, or was it designed to serve a select few interests?” Ajaero queried during the interview.
The NLC president lamented that despite years of privatization, many Nigerians still suffer from unstable electricity supply, estimated billing, high tariffs, and poor customer service. He argued that the expectations raised during the handover of the sector to private operators have not translated into meaningful progress for consumers.
Ajaero further stressed that the persistent challenges in the power sector continue to negatively impact businesses, economic growth, and the daily lives of millions of Nigerians who rely on electricity for survival and productivity.
His comments have sparked renewed public debate over the effectiveness of the privatization policy introduced in Nigeria’s power sector, with many citizens and stakeholders questioning whether the reforms have truly benefited the nation.
Over the years, Nigeria’s electricity sector has remained one of the most controversial areas of the economy, attracting criticism over inadequate infrastructure, regulatory concerns, and recurring tariff increases despite inconsistent power supply.
As discussions continue, analysts believe Ajaero’s remarks may reignite national conversations on the need for comprehensive reforms, transparency, and accountability within the country’s electricity industry.
