Nationwide Blackout Looms As Electricity Workers Begin Strike Over Unpaid Salaries

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has ordered its members nationwide to stop work, raising fears of a fresh round of blackouts across the country.

The strike, which began on Wednesday, was confirmed in a circular signed by Dominic Igwebike, NUEE’s acting general secretary.

The union said the action would continue indefinitely until long-standing grievances with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are resolved.

According to the memo, the decision followed the expiration of an earlier ultimatum issued to TCN.

The union accused the company of neglecting staff welfare, failing to provide basic tools, ignoring workers’ rights, and showing “little regard” for its employees.

“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.”

NUEE listed its demands which include, “Implementation of the National Minimum Wage, end to casualisation of workers, provision of working tools and materials, 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 union stressed that the order takes immediate effect and called for “total compliance” from all electricity workers across the federation.

This latest action has heightened concerns of nationwide power outages, as the country remains heavily dependent on the national grid.

Efforts to reach TCN’s spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, were unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls or messages.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, recently said Nigerians will begin to enjoy a steady supply of electricity before President Bola Tinubu’s term ends in 2027.