The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has urged Nigerian and African authorities to prioritize worker welfare and improved living standards in their industrialization efforts. Akhator Joel Odigie, the organization’s General Secretary, highlighted this stance during the New Energy for Africa 11 Convening. He argued that economic progress is meaningless if it fails to reduce poverty and improve the lives of everyday citizens.
Odigie specifically condemned the Nigerian government’s intention to eliminate electricity subsidies by 2027. He claimed this policy shift is designed to appease international organizations like the IMF and the World Bank rather than benefit the local population. According to the union, removing these subsidies will likely make energy unaffordable for workers, thereby stalling industrial development and intensifying poverty.
The union leader noted that developed nations historically relied on public-sector involvement to drive electricity access. He called for a shift toward energy justice, where governments and partners focus on accessible and affordable power. Odigie pointed to Finland’s energy model, where state-led oversight ensures affordability alongside private investment, as a potential path for African nations to emulate.
Furthermore, Odigie clarified that trade unions act as partners in governance rather than enemies. He emphasized that labor organizations aim to keep leaders accountable and focused on the needs of the populace, stating that they strive to keep officials connected to the realities of the working class.
Dr. Nana Amoah, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), supported these sentiments by highlighting the disparity between Africa’s vast renewable energy potential and its limited access to clean energy investment. The AGN stressed that a fair energy transition must be evaluated by the quality of jobs, local manufacturing growth, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups rather than just electricity capacity numbers.
