A nationwide power outage was narrowly avoided yesterday when electricity workers called off their strike after nearly 10 hours, following federal government intervention in the labour dispute involving the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The breakthrough came during an urgent meeting organized by the Minister of Power, represented by senior ministry officials, and attended by delegates from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, TCN management, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) in Abuja.
The strike, triggered by unresolved welfare and operational challenges, had sparked widespread concern over the possibility of a nationwide blackout.
After extensive discussions, both sides reached critical agreements that led to the suspension of the industrial action.
As outlined in a statement released at the meeting’s conclusion, the unions agreed to the Minister’s request to revisit a standing committee’s report by October 6-7, 2025, with plans to begin implementation later that month.
The statement also highlighted that TCN and NISO would jointly assess the financial impact of the committee’s recommendations and develop an implementation strategy to be submitted to the Minister of Power and the unions. Furthermore, management and union representatives will meet again to resolve any remaining issues.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was directed to accelerate its tariff review process to support the smooth execution of the agreement. It was also agreed that no employee would face retaliation for participating in the strike.
With these agreements in place, the unions declared the suspension of their strike, enabling the activation of the negotiated terms.
Labour leaders hailed the outcome as a “balanced victory” but warned they would not hesitate to resume industrial action if the government or TCN fails to honor the agreement.
This resolution has alleviated growing concerns nationwide, where fears of an extended blackout had unsettled households and businesses alike.
The NUEE had initiated an indefinite strike the previous day, accusing TCN of neglecting employee welfare and critical operational matters.
In a circular dated 24 September 2025, NUEE’s acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, expressed that the union could no longer stand by as members’ rights were infringed upon and the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) continued to deteriorate.
The workers’ complaints included the failure to implement the new national minimum wage, widespread casualization of staff, unpaid salaries since April 2025, lack of essential operational equipment and vehicles, and the absence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) since 2021.
They also raised concerns about unresolved issues stemming from TCN’s unbundling and unpaid retirement benefits.
NUEE stated, “It is deeply disappointing that TCN management has consistently dismissed these vital concerns, showing blatant disregard for its dedicated workforce. We cannot remain passive while our rights are trampled and the electricity sector declines. Consequently, the union is compelled to withdraw its services immediately. Members are hereby instructed to suspend their duties until management demonstrates a genuine commitment to fulfilling its obligations to the staff.”
