The International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC-Africa, has urged the Nigerian government and other African leaders to ensure that industrialisation delivers real benefits to workers and ordinary citizens, rather than widening the gap between the rich and the poor.
The labour body stressed that economic growth should translate into better living conditions for millions of Africans, warning that development has little value if it does not reduce poverty and improve people’s quality of life. It also expressed concern over the Federal Government’s plan to remove electricity subsidies in 2027, arguing that such a move would place an even heavier burden on struggling households.
Speaking at the New Energy for Africa 11 Convening: African Workers’ Contributions to Energy Sovereignty, Green Industrialization, and a Common African Position for COP31, ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, described industrialisation as a key driver of Africa’s economic freedom and long-term development. However, he maintained that genuine progress can only be measured by how much it improves the welfare of the people.
Odigie criticised the proposed electricity subsidy removal, saying the policy appears to be driven more by the expectations of international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank than by the needs of Nigerians. According to him, removing the subsidy would make electricity even less affordable, increase poverty and weaken efforts aimed at building a strong industrial economy.
He argued that the claim that subsidies are bad economic policy does not reflect the reality of many developed nations, noting that several advanced economies built their energy sectors through strong public investment rather than relying entirely on private operators.
According to him, Africa’s dream of becoming an industrial powerhouse remains unfulfilled despite years of aspirations. While identifying obstacles is important, he said the continent must now focus on practical solutions that can move it forward.
Odigie pointed out that more than 600 million Africans still have no access to electricity, while continued privatisation has made energy unaffordable for many families. He said this situation should encourage governments, workers and development partners to rethink existing policies and develop better approaches that guarantee wider access to affordable power.
He explained that organised labour believes Africa can pursue industrialisation without worsening climate change if all stakeholders embrace the principles of energy justice. He noted that sustainable industrial growth requires balancing economic development with environmental protection through meaningful cooperation, technology transfer, skills development and adequate financing.
According to him, Africa has the capacity to build the technical expertise required for a modern energy sector, provided governments are willing to invest in human capital and infrastructure. He added that access to funding remains equally important for developing reliable energy systems capable of supporting sustainable industrial expansion.
Odigie insisted that industrialisation should not be judged by economic figures alone but by its impact on the lives of ordinary people. He said prosperity has little meaning if workers continue to struggle to meet basic needs despite contributing to economic growth.
He further called for an end to the growing number of working poor across Africa, warning that women, children and elderly citizens often bear the greatest hardship whenever governments introduce austerity measures or attempt to balance national budgets.
Describing what genuine prosperity should look like, he said every worker should be able to return home after a day’s work and enjoy uninterrupted, affordable electricity to power simple household appliances, keep cool during hot weather, stay informed through television or radio, and spend quality time with loved ones.
He stressed that these everyday comforts should not be considered luxuries but basic necessities, adding that true energy justice means providing electricity that is affordable, accessible and capable of improving people’s lives.
Odigie also renewed ITUC-Africa’s call for stronger public participation in Africa’s energy sector. Drawing from the example of Finland, he said governments can successfully combine public leadership with private sector involvement while still keeping electricity affordable for citizens.
He explained that during a recent visit to Finland, the delegation observed a system where the government retains a significant role in the energy sector, including influencing electricity pricing to protect consumers. According to him, electricity in Finland is cheaper than in Nairobi because public authorities continue to play an active role in regulating the sector.
Looking ahead to the COP31 climate negotiations, Odigie called for closer cooperation between organised labour and the African Group of Negotiators. He said trade unions should be regarded as partners in governance whose role is to strengthen accountability and support governments in delivering better outcomes for citizens.
While acknowledging that labour unions are sometimes misunderstood, he insisted they are not enemies of government. Instead, he said they exist to ensure leaders remain responsive to the realities facing ordinary people.
Using a metaphor that drew applause from participants, Odigie said the responsibility of organised labour is to keep leaders “close to the fire” so they remain focused, make sound decisions and never lose touch with the everyday challenges confronting African workers and their families.
