Electricity Workers Issue 21-Day Strike Notice Over Pay, Working Conditions

By Adedapo Adesanya

Electricity workers, under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), have issued a 21-day nationwide strike notice to the federal government, citing unresolved labour grievances and what they described as worsening conditions across the power sector.

They formally notified the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, of their intention to embark on industrial action if urgent steps are not taken to address the persistent violations of workers’ rights within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

In the letter, the union accused power sector operators of refusing to honour collective agreements, implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and effect its consequential adjustments. It also alleged widespread anti-labour practices across power generation and distribution companies.

“We have written several letters to the ministry on these issues, but there has been little or no response,” the union stated, expressing frustration over what it described as official indifference.

Among the grievances listed are non-remittance of pension deductions and Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxes, denial of workers’ right to unionise, intimidation of staff, and failure to improve welfare despite repeated tariff increases.

The union said in some distribution companies, pension contributions deducted from workers’ salaries have allegedly remained unpaid for years, leaving employees uncertain about their retirement security.

The electricity workers also criticised what they termed the “militarisation” of workplaces, alleging harassment and threats in certain power firms.

According to the union, labour is increasingly being treated as an adversary rather than a critical stakeholder in a sector already struggling with public confidence.

The notice further questioned the performance of investors who acquired power assets during the 2013 privatisation exercise.

The union argued that promises of improved infrastructure, capital injection, metering expansion and better service delivery have not translated into meaningful gains for workers or consumers.

While electricity tariffs have risen multiple times in recent years, the union said workers have seen no corresponding improvement in salaries, promotions, bonuses or working conditions.

Business Post reports that the ultimatum likely places the federal government under pressure to act as a nationwide strike would significantly disrupt power generation and distribution, affecting homes, hospitals, small businesses and critical infrastructure already grappling with unreliable supply.