Power generation companies in Nigeria have strongly denied claims made by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that they engage in 'institutionalised extortion'. The allegations were described as misleading by Joy Ogaji, the CEO of the Association of Power Generation Companies, who emphasized the negative impact such statements could have on efforts to stabilize Nigeria's troubled electricity sector. Ogaji pointed out that the NLC's claims do not accurately reflect the realities faced by the electricity supply industry in Nigeria.

In her statements, Ogaji acknowledged the frustration Nigerians have regarding inconsistent electricity supply but categorically rejected the NLC's characterization of the sector's issues as essentially theft or deception. She stressed that labeling the challenges faced by power generation companies as extortion misrepresents the efforts being made to address these ongoing struggles. The assertion of extortion, Ogaji argues, undermines the ongoing efforts to stabilize the fragile power sector and may exacerbate the situation faced by both consumers and utility companies.

This public dispute highlights the ongoing tensions in Nigeria's energy sector, where many citizens have expressed dissatisfaction with the electricity supply's reliability. As the nation grapples with these challenges, the power generation companies warn that labeling their struggles inaccurately could lead to a more severe power crisis, further complicating efforts for energy stability and reform. Hence, it is crucial to facilitate constructive dialogues between labor groups and electricity providers to address the deep-seated issues the sector faces.