By John Umeh
Nigeria may be plunged into a nationwide blackout as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) announced an indefinite strike on Wednesday, September 25, accusing the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) of neglecting critical welfare and operational issues.
In a circular signed by Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, the union said the action followed the expiration of an ultimatum it had earlier issued to the TCN management.
“The TCN management has continued to treat our demands with levity and disregard for the sacrifices of its workers,” the statement read. “We cannot sit back while our rights are violated and the electricity supply industry deteriorates further.”
Among the union’s grievances are the non-implementation of the National Minimum Wage, non-provision of working tools and protective equipment, casualisation of workers, unpaid salaries dating back to April 2025, as well as outstanding retirement benefits and lack of operational vehicles.
The strike order, which took immediate effect, directed electricity workers across the country to ensure “total compliance,” raising fears of prolonged power outages nationwide.
This industrial action rekindles memories of NUEE’s strike in June 2024, which crippled power supply and forced emergency negotiations with the Federal Government.
The latest strike comes at a time when the government has been making renewed promises to reform the ailing power sector, which continues to struggle with low generation output, ageing infrastructure, and recurring disputes between management and labour unions.
Efforts to reach TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
