Total blackout imminent as electricity workers begin nationwide strike

Electricity users across Nigeria may soon be plunged into darkness as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has begun an indefinite strike, withdrawing services nationwide over unresolved disputes with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

In a circular signed by Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, the union instructed members to fully comply with the directive until management addresses long-standing concerns affecting staff welfare and operations.

According to NUEE, the industrial action followed the expiration of an ultimatum earlier issued to TCN. The union accused the company of failing to tackle critical issues including poor welfare packages, inadequate tools for workers, and disregard for employees’ 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 circular stated.

The union further declared, “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.”

NUEE listed its demands to include the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage, an end to casualisation of workers, supply of tools and materials, settlement of outstanding salaries dating back to April 2025, provision of operational vehicles, and the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment, last supplied in 2021. It also called for the resolution of issues linked to TCN’s unbundling as well as payment of outstanding retirement benefits.

The strike order, which takes effect immediately, urged “total compliance” from electricity workers nationwide, raising fears of another round of nationwide outages.

This is not the first time NUEE has taken such action. In June 2024, the union shut down operations in a move that crippled power supply across multiple states, forcing the Federal Government into urgent negotiations.

Efforts to reach TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not returned at the time of filing this report.

The development comes amid repeated government pledges to overhaul Nigeria’s struggling power sector, which continues to grapple with low generation, decaying infrastructure, and recurring labour disputes despite years of privatisation efforts.