Nationwide blackout looms as electricity workers begin strike over dispute with TCN

Nationwide blackout may be on the horizon as electricity workers initiate a strike due to ongoing disagreements with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) announced an indefinite strike starting Wednesday, instructing its members to halt work until TCN resolves issues related to their welfare and operational conditions.

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Among the concerns raised are unpaid salaries from April 2025, inadequate staff welfare, insufficient tools, and the lack of protective gear since 2021. Additionally, the union is calling for the full implementation of the national minimum wage, termination of casual employment, provision of vehicles, and settlement of unpaid retirement benefits.

“The TCN management has continued to treat these issues with kid gloves, showing disregard for its hardworking staff,” the statement said. “We cannot fold our arms while our rights are violated and the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry deteriorates.”

The directive for “total compliance” across the country has raised fears of crippling outages. This comes just a year after NUEE shut down operations in June 2024, a move that forced the federal government into emergency talks after power supply collapsed in multiple states.