Labour Alleges N20bn Procurement Irregularities In TCN

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for urgent intervention by the Federal Ministry of Power over what it described as an alleged large-scale financial misconduct within the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The labour union warned that the development could threaten the operational stability of the electricity transmission infrastructure.

In a letter dated March 1, 2026 and addressed to the minister of power in Abuja, the NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, alleged that certain officials within the state-owned power transmission firm were orchestrating questionable procurement activities under the guise of emergency refurbishment projects.

The labour movement claimed that the proposed contracts, valued at nearly N20 billion, raised serious concerns about fiscal discipline and transparency, particularly given the company’s financial challenges.

According to the letter, several planned expenditures appear disproportionate to the scope of the works listed. These include about N191 million for erosion control at Tower T89 in Ihovbor, Okada; over N290 million for fencing and drainage at the Biu 132/33KV substation; and about N226 million earmarked for work on Tower T27 in Etsako, Okpella–Ajaokuta.

The union also alleged plans to procure specialised transformers and switchgears in multiple batches from the same supplier at increasing costs, a practice it said could amount to financial manipulation disguised as infrastructure expansion.

In addition, the Congress warned that there were indications of plans to overstock transmission consumables, such as insulators, conductors, and clamps, at prices far above market value, raising fears that the items could either remain unused in storage or never be delivered despite payments being made.

The labour centre urged the minister of power to immediately halt all ongoing emergency procurement processes within TCN pending a comprehensive forensic audit. It also called on anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate the company’s procurement activities and other alleged irregularities.

The union further requested investigations into the reported sale of land behind the TCN substation in Katampe, Abuja, and the alleged attempt to promote a staff member employed in September 2021 to the rank of assistant general manager in 2026, which it said violates established employment rules.

The letter reads in parts, “We write to you with the grave concern of a labour movement watching a strategic national asset being systematically disembowelled.  We are writing to alert your ministry of an imminent, large-scale heist being orchestrated within the Transmission Company of Nigeria by a group of officials who have seemingly abandoned their oath of service in favour of a gluttonous rush to cash out and cause the company to collapse.

Honourable minister, we demand your immediate intervention to terminate this quest. To ensure the urgency of this matter is felt, we provide specific, glaring examples of the looting blueprint.”

“The plan to spend nearly N20 billion from TCN coffers on the so-called emergency refurbishment looks more like a contrivance to fleece a company that is already saddled with fiscal challenges. There is no other way to explain some of the planned expenditures, which appear questionable and negate the principles of fiscal discipline.

The Nigeria Labour Congress refuses to stand by and watch our members and Nigerians become victims of this avarice. We insist that all ongoing emergency procurement processes be halted immediately pending a full forensic audit, while anti-graft agencies are invited to investigate the activities within TCN”, the letter added.