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NLC raises alarm over alleged N20bn ‘emergency’ contract scam in TCN
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised the alarm over what it described as an alleged plan to siphon nearly N20 billion from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) through questionable “emergency refurbishment” contracts.
The Labour Centre warned that the move could cripple Nigeria’s power transmission infrastructure.
In a letter dated March 1, 2026 and addressed to the Minister of Power, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, accused some officials within TCN of orchestrating what he called a “large-scale heist” under the cover of urgent procurement.
The labour body said the alleged scheme involves inflated contracts, duplicate procurement of equipment and the overstocking of consumables at prices far above market value.
The letter said in part: “We write to you with grave concern of a labour movement watching a strategic national asset being systematically disemboweled.
“A group of officials have seemingly abandoned their oath of service in favour of a gluttonous rush to cash out and cause the company to collapse.”
According to the NLC, the proposed emergency refurbishment projects include several contracts running into hundreds of millions of naira for what it described as routine infrastructure work.
Among the examples cited is a proposed N191 million project to control erosion on transmission tower T89 in Ihovbor near Okada in Edo State, as well as N290.6 million for fencing and drainage at the Biu (Borno State) 132/33KV substation.
The union also pointed to another N226 million earmarked for work on a single tower at Etsako–Okpella–Ajaokuta in Kogi and Edo States and N239.5 million for related interventions, describing the figures as “highly questionable and inconsistent with fiscal discipline.”
The labour centre further alleged that there are plans to procure specialised transformers and switchgears in multiple batches from the same supplier at progressively higher prices.
The NLC warned that excessive procurement of consumables such as insulators, conductors and clamps could lead to waste and possible diversion of public funds.
The union said: “This is not procurement; this is money laundering disguised as grid expansion.
“These items will either be stored and left to rot or simply never delivered, with the proceeds shared among procurement officials and vendors.”
The labour body called on the Minister of Power to immediately halt all ongoing emergency procurement processes within TCN pending a comprehensive forensic audit.
It also urged anti-corruption agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the contracts and scrutinise officials involved in the procurement process.
In addition, the union demanded investigations into the alleged sale of land behind a TCN substation in Katampe, Abuja, as well as what it described as an irregular promotion plan involving a staff member hired in September 2021 who is allegedly being considered for appointment as Assistant General Manager in 2026.
“The grid will become a permanent patient in the emergency room, not because we lack the technology, but because the funds meant to heal it were stolen,” Ajaero warned.
The NLC said urgent action by the Federal Government was necessary to prevent what it described as the “bleeding” of TCN and safeguard the stability of Nigeria’s electricity transmission network.
Two major gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, Mr Adebayo Adelabu and Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, have picked the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The duo picked the forms on Wednesday in Abuja.
Adelabu is the immediate past Minister of Power and hails from Ibadan.
Alli, on the other hand, currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the APC.
He is also an indigene of Ibadan, the state capital.
Recall that Adelabu’s Personal Assistant, Mr Ajiboye, picked up the form on behalf of his boss at the APC Secretariat in Abuja.
Alli, on his part, collected the form himself in Abuja.
Alli was accompanied by some members of the House of Representatives, among whom were Remi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olamiju Alao-Akala, and Akin Alabi.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has urged the government of South Africa to step up protection for Nigerians and other black immigrants following reports of renewed xenophobic violence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa warned that the situation had worsened despite earlier diplomatic engagements between both countries.
According to the commission, recent reports suggest children of Nigerian descent are now afraid to attend school, while business owners are reluctant to open their shops for fear of looting, harassment and targeted attacks. Community leaders have also documented fresh incidents of violence and intimidation within the past 72 hours.
NIDCOM appealed to South African authorities to take “urgent and visible steps” to safeguard foreign nationals, citing obligations under international law and African Union protocols on free movement and human rights.
The commission rejected what it described as the profiling of Nigerians, stressing that crime should be treated as an individual matter. “Crime has no nationality,” the statement said, adding that offenders should be prosecuted under South African law rather than entire communities being stigmatised.
Among its demands, NIDCOM called for increased police patrols in areas where Nigerians live and work, swift arrests and prosecutions of perpetrators, and the creation of a joint Nigeria-South Africa community safety forum involving police, city officials and diaspora leaders.
The commission also urged South African authorities to issue clear public messages condemning xenophobia and stereotyping.
Nigerians living in South Africa were advised to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas after dark. NIDCOM said it is in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the consulate in Johannesburg, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While condemning the attacks, the commission praised the majority of South Africans who continue to live peacefully with other Africans, expressing confidence in the longstanding ties between both nations and pledging continued diplomatic engagement to protect Nigerians abroad.
The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in the fatal shooting of Mr. Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, following the tragic incident that occurred on April 26, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directed the immediate withdrawal of all officers linked to the incident from the Delta State Command to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where they underwent accelerated disciplinary proceedings.
The statement revealed that the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), after a thorough review, found that the principal officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, acted in gross violation of Force Order 237 and other established regulations guiding the use of firearms.
The committee described his actions as unlawful, unprofessional, and a serious betrayal of the oath sworn to protect lives and uphold the law.
Following the findings, the FDC recommended the immediate dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and other officers found culpable in the incident.
The Inspector-General of Police has since approved the recommendation and forwarded it to the Police Service Commission for ratification in line with due process.
The Force also confirmed that upon completion of the administrative procedures, the affected officers would be handed over to the appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution over their roles in the extrajudicial killing.
Reaffirming the Force’s stance, the IGP stated that the Nigeria Police Force maintains zero tolerance for extrajudicial actions and abuse of power, stressing that no officer has the right to take life outside the provisions of the law.
He emphasized that any officer found violating this principle would face the full weight of disciplinary and legal consequences.
The Inspector-General also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, Mr. Mene Ogidi, assuring them that the matter would not be treated lightly and that justice would be served transparently to restore public confidence.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, while assuring citizens of the Force’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and the protection of the rights and dignity of all Nigerians.
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