Nationwide labour action hits Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger as union accuses power firm of wrongful dismissals and due process violations

A looming power outage is raising fresh concerns across parts of northern Nigeria after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) shut down offices of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in protest over the mass dismissal of workers.

The industrial action, led by NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, affected AEDC operations in Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states, with union members locking the company’s headquarters and branch offices on Wednesday.

The NLC accused AEDC of unlawfully sacking more than 900 employees without following due process, describing the move as a violation of labour agreements and earlier commitments regarding staff retirements.

Ajaero said the shutdown followed the expiration of a 48-hour ultimatum issued to the company’s management to reverse the layoffs and engage in dialogue with labour representatives. He warned that failure to resolve the dispute could trigger a wider disruption in electricity supply.

“This action became necessary after the company failed to honour its promises and adhere to established procedures,” Ajaero said, adding that critical workers responsible for maintaining power infrastructure may remain off duty if the standoff persists.

The development has sparked anxiety among residents and businesses in the affected states, many of whom fear a return to prolonged blackouts if the dispute escalates.

Electricity distribution in the region, already challenged by infrastructure and supply constraints, could face further strain if technical and operational staff continue to stay away from work.

As of the time of filing this report, AEDC management had not issued an official response to the shutdown or the allegations raised by the labour union.

The situation underscores growing tensions in Nigeria’s power sector, where disputes between operators and workers have increasingly threatened service delivery.

Stakeholders are now calling for urgent intervention by the federal government to prevent a full-scale disruption and restore normal operations.