Fabian

Electricity workers under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have threatened to embark on a nationwide strike over unresolved labour issues in the power sector.

The union issued a 21-day strike notice to the Federal Government, citing widespread anti-labour practices, wage violations, non-remittance of statutory deductions, and growing job insecurity within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

In the notice dated January 26, 2026, and signed by NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, the union warned that failure to address the grievances within the stipulated period could lead to industrial action capable of crippling electricity generation and distribution across the country.

Dominic noted that many of the issues have lingered for over 12 years since the privatisation of the electricity sector, accusing the Ministry of Power of showing little interest in resolving them.

“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 for more than 12 years, but the Ministry seems not to be interested in the matter,” the letter stated.

The union accused power sector managements of refusing to negotiate and implement procedural agreements and conditions of service, particularly in generating companies. It also alleged failure to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and its consequential salary adjustments.

According to NUEE, workers’ constitutional rights to unionise and engage in collective bargaining are being suppressed, with union activities restricted within company premises. The union further alleged that employers deduct union dues and other statutory contributions but fail to remit them.

It also claimed that third-party deductions such as Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes and pension contributions have remained unpaid for extended periods. In some distribution companies, including Kaduna and Kano Discos, pension deductions were reportedly not remitted for as long as 82 months.

The union raised concerns about alleged harassment, intimidation, and threats against workers in some companies, including Ikeja Electric and Egbin Power Plc, describing what it called the “militarisation of the workplace.”

Despite repeated electricity tariff increases, band reclassifications, and improved revenues to power firms, NUEE said workers have seen no promotions, salary increments, or bonuses, while facing public backlash over poor power supply.

“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.

NUEE also accused investors of failing to meet post-privatisation commitments such as capital injection, metering expansion, network upgrades, and improved electricity supply, describing the situation as a failure of the privatisation process.

The union urged the Federal Government to urgently convene stakeholders to address the crisis, warning that if the issues are not resolved within 21 days, workers will resort to “legitimate labour actions” to protect their rights.

“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.