The Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) has issued a scathing rebuttal against the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, over allegations of “institutionalized extortion” and “phantom subsidies” within the power sector. In a statement titled “Stop Victimizing The GenCos,” APGC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joy Ogaji condemned the NLC leader’s remarks as a baseless smear campaign designed to mislead the public and undermine the professionals working to stabilize the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The economic and operational consequence of this public feud highlights the severe liquidity crisis currently paralyzing Nigeria’s grid. Dr. Ogaji revealed that GenCos are currently owed a staggering N6 trillion in unpaid invoices for electricity already generated and consumed. From a fiscal perspective, labeling the legitimate request for these accumulated receivables as “robbery” ignores the fact that GenCos carry the highest financial risk in the value chain, as they are entitled to roughly 60% of market receivables but continue to operate under massive debt.
Analytically, the APGC’s defense rests on the heavily regulated nature of the sector. Dr. Ogaji challenged the NLC to provide evidence of “deception,” asserting that the industry is governed by strict oversight that prevents participants from acting unchecked. She particularly took aim at Ajaero’s claim that government support for the sector was a ploy to “settle the boys” ahead of future elections. APGC dismissed this narrative as an inflammatory distraction that lacks technical competence and fails to recognize the urgent need for liquidity interventions to prevent total grid collapse.
The impact on “Industrial Stability and Public Trust” is a vital dimension of this conflict. APGC expressed concern that the NLC is venturing into complex technical territory to remain politically relevant, thereby inciting public anger against power firms. Dr. Ogaji emphasized that rather than being “robbers,” GenCos are victims of a system where they generate power but are not paid. She extended an open invitation for any forensic audit or investigation, stating that GenCo financial records are transparent and ready for scrutiny by legal or financial experts.
Furthermore, the statement questioned the logic behind the NLC’s “phantom subsidy” claims, pointing out that the power sector remains hamstrung by a lack of investment and infrastructure challenges. By painting GenCos as fraudulent, the APGC argues that the NLC is endangering the very professionals working “around the clock” to keep the lights on. The Association warned that such rhetoric only serves to alienate potential investors and further complicates the path toward a stable and self-sustaining electricity market for all Nigerians.
The long-term economic outlook for the power sector depends on resolving these massive debts rather than trading insults. As the exchange between organized labor and power producers intensifies, the primary concern remains the sustainability of the national grid. For now, the APGC stands firm: they are demanding pity and payment, not ridicule and victimization. The resolution of this N6 trillion debt remains the most critical hurdle for the industry’s survival.
