Nigerians may soon face a nationwide blackout as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has launched an indefinite strike, citing unresolved welfare issues.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, is in response to the non-implementation of the national minimum wage, the casualisation of workers, unpaid salaries, and other grievances affecting staff.
In a statement signed by Acting General Secretary Dominic Igwebike, NUEE said the action follows the expiration of its ultimatum to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). The union accused TCN management of neglecting workers’ welfare and failing to present a concrete plan to address the problems.
“It is unfortunate that the TCN Management has decided to handle these issues with kid gloves and without any defined road map to addressing them. We cannot fold our arms while our rights are being violated and the electricity industry collapses,” the statement read.
The union ordered members to completely withdraw their services until management fulfils its obligations, listing its demands as:
- Full implementation of the national minimum wage
- End to casualisation of workers
- Provision of tools, vehicles, and PPEs
- Payment of salaries owed since April 2025
- Settlement of retirement benefits
- Resolution of issues linked to the unbundling of TCN
This development follows a similar strike in June 2024 that disrupted power supply across the country.
As of press time, TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah had yet to issue a response.