Blackout looms as electricity workers activate strike after 21-day ultimatum

2026-03-03 - 14:18

By Victor Ahiuma-Young The National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, has intensified mobilisation of its members nationwide for a possible strike next week following the expiration of its 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government without a resolution of its grievances. The union had, in a January 26, 2026 letter addressed to the Minister of Power, issued a nationwide strike notice accusing power sector employers—particularly distribution companies (DISCOs) and generation companies (GENCOs)—of widespread anti-labour practices, wage violations, and failure to remit deducted Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes and pension contributions. With the ultimatum now lapsed and no concrete action taken, union sources said the leadership has begun ramping up mobilisation across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), warning of possible industrial action any moment from now that could cripple electricity generation and distribution nationwide if urgent steps are not taken. Sources within the union disclosed that the Minister of Labour and Employment had waded into the dispute about two weeks ago and summoned a meeting slated for last week. However, it was gathered that the Minister of Power insisted that the matter fell within his ministry’s purview and should be handled accordingly. Union sources expressed frustration that nearly two weeks after that development, no meeting has been convened by the power ministry. They alleged that the minister has been preoccupied with political engagements rather than addressing the looming crisis in the sector. Irked by what they described as government inaction, the union leadership has intensified mobilisation of workers across power stations and distribution networks nationwide in preparation for a possible strike next week. “We demand the immediate resolution of all these anti-labour issues. Otherwise, we will not hesitate to employ any legitimate labour action suitable for the situation. This is not a threat,” the notice warned. Industry observers caution that any nationwide strike by electricity workers could have far-reaching consequences for businesses, households, and the broader economy, already grappling with energy supply challenges. Recall that in the letter signed by NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, the union lamented what it described as worsening conditions for workers more than 12 years after the privatisation of the power sector. “We have written several letters to your highly exalted office on precarious work in NESI, especially in Gencos and Discos, since after the privatisation of the electricity sector, but the Ministry seems not to be interested in the matter,” the letter stated. The union accused employers in the sector of refusing to negotiate and implement collective agreements and conditions of service, as well as failing to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and its consequential adjustments. “The sector is bedevilled with managements that have refused to collectively negotiate and implement procedural agreements and conditions of service and have failed to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act,” the notice alleged. Beyond wage concerns, NUEE accused some companies of denying workers their constitutional right to unionise, restricting union activities within company premises, and deducting union dues without remittance. The union further alleged prolonged non-remittance of statutory third-party deductions, including PAYE tax and pension contributions. According to the notice, in some distribution companies — including Kaduna and Kano Discos — pension deductions have reportedly not been remitted for up to 82 months. NUEE also decried what it termed the “militarisation” of the workplace, alleging harassment, intimidation, and threats against workers by managements of certain companies, including Ikeja Electric and Egbin Power Plc. The workers expressed anger that despite repeated electricity tariff increases, band reclassification, and rising revenues in the sector, their welfare has stagnated. “Tariffs have gone up repeatedly, yet there has been no promotion, no increment, no bonuses, and no improvement in working conditions for workers. There is no job security and no pension assurances, while customers vent their anger on innocent employees,” the union said. The union also accused investors in the sector of failing to fulfil post-privatisation commitments, including capital injection, metering, network expansion, and improved power supply, describing the situation as evidence of the shortcomings of the privatisation exercise.