Nigeria Electricity Strike Threat: NUEE Issues 21-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government
The electricity workers in Nigeria, under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), have issued a 21-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government over unresolved labor issues that threaten the stability of the power supply across the country.
The Nigerian electricity strike threat comes amid growing complaints of unpaid wages, job insecurity, and non-remittance of statutory deductions in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
The workers said failure to address their demands within the stipulated period could lead to a shutdown capable of crippling electricity generation and distribution nationwide. According to NUEE, the problems have lingered for over twelve years without meaningful intervention from authorities.
In a strike notice dated January 26, 2026, signed by the union’s Acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, and addressed to the Minister of Power, the workers expressed frustration over what they described as persistent neglect of labour concerns since the privatization of the electricity sector.
“We have written several letters to your highly exalted office (Minister) on precarious work in NESI, especially in Gencos and Discos, since after the privatization of the electricity sector for more than 12 years, but the Ministry seems not to be interested in the matter,” Dominic lamented in the letter.
The union accused power sector employers of refusing to negotiate or implement collective agreements, particularly in power-generating companies, while also failing to enforce the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and its consequential adjustments, further worsening workers’ welfare.
“The sector is bedeviled with managements that have refused to collectively negotiate and implement Procedural Agreements and Conditions of Service and have failed to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act,” the notice added.
NUEE also alleged that workers are being denied their constitutional right to unionize, with union activities restricted within company premises. They further accused employers of deducting union dues and other statutory payments without remitting them.
“Employers have refused to allow unionization of workers, infringing on their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, while union dues deducted from workers are not remitted,” the workers said.
According to the union, PAYE tax and pension contributions have also not been remitted for long periods, in some cases spanning several years, deepening fears over workers’ future security.
“Pension deductions have not been remitted for up to 82 months in some Discos, including Kaduna and Kano,” the notice alleged.
The workers further claimed that managements of some Discos and Gencos have subjected employees to harassment, intimidation, and workplace militarization, describing labour as an enemy rather than a key stakeholder.
“Labour is being treated as an enemy rather than a critical stakeholder, with continuous harassment, threats, intimidation, and militarization of the workplace in companies such as Ikeja Electric and Egbin Power Plc,” the union stated.
They also lamented that despite repeated tariff hikes, band reclassification, and increased revenues for power companies, workers have seen no promotions, salary increments, or bonuses, while bearing the brunt of customer frustrations.
“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 notice said.
The union accused investors in the sector of failing to fulfill post-privatization promises of capital injection, metering, network expansion, and improved power supply, describing the situation as clear evidence of a failed reform process.
NUEE urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene and bring all stakeholders together to avert the looming Nigeria electricity strike, warning that continued neglect could force workers to take legitimate labour actions.
“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 statement added.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
