An black and white photo encapsulating the raw energy of construction worker, their diverse backgrounds adding depth to the narrative of progress –chaos 5 –ar 3:2 –style raw –stylize 50 –v 6 Job ID: 8619a3eb-0d39-4821-945c-38dc993440e5
Electricity workers under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have issued a 21-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government of Nigeria, citing widespread anti-labour practices, wage violations, and worsening job insecurity across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The union warned that failure to resolve the issues within the stipulated period could trigger industrial action capable of crippling electricity generation and distribution nationwide.
In a letter dated 26 January 2026 and addressed to the Minister of Power, NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, expressed frustration over what he described as the ministry’s inaction despite repeated complaints.
“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 employers of refusing to negotiate or implement collective agreements and conditions of service, particularly within generation and distribution companies. It also alleged a failure to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and its consequential adjustments.
“The sector is bedevilled with managements that have refused to collectively negotiate and implement procedural agreements and conditions of service, and have failed to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act,” the notice read.
NUEE further alleged that workers are being denied their constitutional right to unionise, with union activities restricted within company premises. It accused employers of deducting, but failing to remit, union dues and other statutory contributions.
“Employers have refused to allow unionisation of workers, infringing on their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, while union dues deducted from workers are not remitted,” the union said.
According to the notice, third-party deductions, including Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax and pension contributions, have also not been remitted for extended periods.
“Pension deductions have not been remitted for up to 82 months in some Discos, including those in Kaduna and Kano,” it alleged.
The union also decried what it described as the militarisation of the workplace, alleging harassment, intimidation, and threats against workers in several distribution and generation companies.
“Labour is being treated as an enemy rather than a critical stakeholder, with continuous harassment, threats, intimidation, and militarisation of the workplace in companies such as Ikeja Electric and Egbin Power Plc,” the statement said.
It added that, despite repeated electricity tariff increases, band reclassification, and rising revenues for power firms, workers’ welfare has stagnated.
“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 in the sector of failing to meet post-privatisation commitments, including capital injection, metering, network expansion, and improved power supply, describing the situation as evidence of the shortcomings of the privatisation exercise.
The union urged the government to intervene urgently and convene stakeholders to address the crisis, warning that continued neglect could compel workers to embark on legitimate industrial action.
“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 letter added.
