Electricity consumers who rely on the national grid may suffer a prolonged blackout within hours, as the National Union of Electricity Employees began a statewide strike on Wednesday over unresolved labor concerns with Nigeria’s Transmission Company.
The union, in a circular signed by its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, instructed its members across the country to resign from duty permanently unless management addressed long-standing welfare and operational concerns.
According to NUEE, the strike was unavoidable after an ultimatum issued to TCN expired, accusing the company of failing to address grievances related to poor staff welfare, non-provision of essential tools, and disregard for workers’ rights.
“Unfortunately, the TCN management has decided to handle these issues with kid gloves and with a lack of regard for the hardworking staff of TCN,” the notice read in part.
“We cannot continue to fold our arms while we watch our rights being violated and the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry going down the drain. To this end, the Union is compelled to withdraw its services,” it added.
The union listed its demands to include “Implementation of the National Minimum Wage, an end to casualization of workers, provision of working tools and materials, and payment of staff salaries owed since April 2025.”
“Provision of operational vehicles, supply of Personal Protective Equipment, last provided in 2021, resolution of issues arising from the unbundling of TCN, and payment of outstanding retirement benefits.”
The directive, effective immediately, requires “total compliance” from all electricity workers nationwide, raising concerns about potential power outages.
In June 2024, NUEE shut down operations, crippling power supply in many states and forcing the federal government into emergency negotiations. Attempts to reach TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah were unsuccessful.
