By Peter Omopo
Nigeria is on the brink of a nationwide blackout after the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) on Wednesday ordered its members to down tools indefinitely over unresolved disputes with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
In a circular signed by its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, the union directed electricity workers across the country to withdraw their services with immediate effect, accusing TCN management of neglecting long-standing welfare and operational concerns.
According to NUEE, the strike followed the expiration of an ultimatum issued to TCN, which it accused of failing to address grievances including poor staff welfare, non-provision of essential tools, and disregard for workers’ rights.
“Unfortunately, the TCN management has decided to handle these issues with kid gloves and with a lack of regard for the hardworking staff of TCN. We cannot continue to fold our arms while our rights are being violated and the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry goes down the drain,” the notice read.
The union’s list of demands includes the implementation of the National Minimum Wage, an end to casualisation of workers, provision of working tools and operational vehicles, supply of Personal Protective Equipment last provided in 2021, payment of staff salaries owed since April 2025, resolution of issues arising from TCN’s unbundling, and settlement of outstanding retirement benefits.
The strike directive, which takes immediate effect, mandates “total compliance” from electricity workers nationwide, raising fears of widespread power outages in the coming hours.
This is not the first time NUEE has taken such action. In June 2024, the union shut down operations, crippling power supply in several states and forcing the Federal Government into emergency negotiations.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, for comment were unsuccessful.
The industrial action comes at a time when Nigerians are already grappling with unreliable electricity supply despite repeated government assurances of power sector reforms, years after privatisation and multiple intervention programmes.
