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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Electricity workers under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have declared that they can down tools at any moment, raising fears of a nationwide blackout.
Speaking with Daily Sun on phone, on Wednesday, NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, said the union had already concluded plans for industrial action following the expiration of its 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
“Yes, we gave them an ultimatum. If you are aware of our 21 days ultimatum, which expired. Although the labour ministry intervened, but we have not heard from the power ministry which our letter was addressed to. So that is why. Since the expiration of the ultimatum, we are preparing for an action,” he said.
Asked when the strike would begin, Dominic replied: “We can decide anytime.”
He confirmed that mobilisation of members across the country was already ongoing, saying, “Of course. We are mobilizing.”
The looming action follows a January 26, 2026 letter addressed to the Minister of Power, in which the union accused distribution companies (Discos) and generation companies (Gencos) of widespread anti-labour practices, wage violations and failure to remit deducted Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes and pension contributions.
Though the Minister of Labour and Employment reportedly intervened and summoned a meeting, union sources said the Minister of Power insisted the matter fell within his ministry’s purview. Nearly two weeks after that development, workers claim no meeting has been convened.
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Angered by what they described as government inaction, the union has intensified mobilisation across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), warning that any strike could cripple electricity generation and distribution nationwide.
In the notice signed by Dominic, the union lamented worsening conditions for workers more than 12 years after the privatisation of the power sector.
“We have written several letters to your highly exalted office on precarious work in NESI, especially in Gencos and Discos, since after the privatisation of the electricity sector, but the Ministry seems not to be interested in the matter,” the letter stated.
NUEE further alleged that some companies have refused to negotiate and implement collective agreements and conditions of service, and have failed to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and its consequential adjustments.
The union also accused some operators of denying workers the right to unionise, restricting union activities, deducting union dues without remittance, and withholding statutory third-party deductions, including PAYE and pension contributions.
According to the union, in some distribution companies, including Kaduna and Kano Discos, pension deductions have reportedly not been remitted for up to 82 months.
Workers also decried what they termed the “militarisation” of workplaces, alleging harassment and intimidation by certain management in the sector.
Industry observers warn that a nationwide strike by electricity workers could plunge businesses and households into darkness, worsening the country’s already fragile power supply situation.
