A major blackout across Nigeria is on the horizon after the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) issued a 21-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government over unresolved anti-labour practices, wage violations, and deteriorating working conditions in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
In a letter dated January 26, 2026, signed by NUEE Acting General Secretary Igwebike Dominic and addressed to the Minister of Power, the union warned that failure to resolve the long-standing grievances within the 21-day ultimatum would trigger industrial action capable of halting electricity generation and distribution nationwide.
The union stated that most of the issues have lingered for over 12 years since the privatisation of the power sector, with successive governments and sector operators showing little interest in meaningful dialogue or resolution.
Key grievances outlined in the notice include:
– Refusal by Generation Companies (GenCos) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) to negotiate or implement collective bargaining agreements and conditions of service.
– Failure to fully implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and its consequential salary adjustments.
– Denial of workers’ constitutional right to unionise, with restrictions on union activities within company premises.
– Non-remittance of deducted union dues, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, and pension contributions—some pension shortfalls stretching up to 82 months in DisCos such as Kaduna and Kano.
– Persistent harassment, intimidation, threats, and “militarisation” of workplaces, particularly at Ikeja Electric and Egbin Power Plc.
– No promotions, salary increments, or bonuses for workers despite repeated electricity tariff hikes, band reclassifications, and increased revenues flowing to power companies.
– Customers directing frustration over poor service at frontline electricity workers, who face hostility without corresponding improvements in welfare or conditions.
NUEE further accused investors in the privatised power sector of failing to deliver on post-privatisation commitments, including capital injection, metering rollout, network expansion, and reliable power supply—describing the entire privatisation exercise as a failure.
“Tariffs have gone up repeatedly, yet there has been no promotion, no increment, no bonuses, and no improvement in working conditions for workers, while customers vent their anger on innocent employees,” the union stated.
The workers described labour as being treated as “an enemy rather than a critical stakeholder,” and urged the Federal Government to urgently convene all parties to address the crisis.
“We demand the immediate resolution of all these anti-labour issues within twenty-one days of the receipt of this letter. Otherwise, we will not be constrained to take our fate into our hands by employing any legitimate labour weapon suitable for the situation. This is not a threat,” the notice concluded.
If the strike proceeds, experts warn it could plunge Nigeria into total darkness, severely disrupting homes, businesses, hospitals, telecommunications, water supply, and other critical services dependent on electricity.
The development comes amid ongoing economic pressures and public frustration with inconsistent power supply, raising fears of widespread hardship if negotiations fail.
