A nationwide blackout was averted yesterday as electricity workers suspended their strike after approximately 10 hours, following the intervention of the federal government in the labour dispute affecting the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The resolution was reached during an emergency meeting convened by the minister of Power, represented by senior officials from the ministry, and attended by representatives 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, which stemmed from unresolved welfare and operational concerns, had raised fears of a nationwide blackout.
However, after hours of deliberation, both parties agreed to key resolutions that paved the way for the suspension of the industrial action.
According to a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the unions accepted the Minister’s appeal to review a standing committee report by October 6–7, 2025, with implementation to begin later that month.
The communiqué further stated that TCN and NISO would collaborate to evaluate the financial implications of the committee’s report and prepare an implementation plan for presentation to the Minister of Power and the unions. Additionally, both unions and management are expected to reconvene in another meeting to address outstanding issues.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was also instructed to expedite its review of tariffs to facilitate the smooth implementation of the agreement. The parties agreed that no employee would be victimised for participating in the strike.
With these resolutions in place, the unions announced the suspension of their strike, allowing the agreements to be activated.
Labour leaders described the outcome as a “measured victory” while cautioning that they would not hesitate to resume industrial action should the government or TCN fail to uphold the agreement.
This development has eased rising anxiety across the country, where fears of a prolonged blackout had gripped homes and businesses.
NUEE had commenced an indefinite strike the previous day, accusing the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) of neglecting staff welfare and critical operational issues.
In a circular dated 24 September 2025, NUEE’s acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, stated that the union could no longer remain passive while members’ rights were violated and the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) continued to decline.
The workers’ grievances include the non-implementation of the new national minimum wage, staff casualisation, non-payment of salaries since April 2025, lack of operational tools and vehicles, and failure to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) since 2021.
They also cited unresolved issues from the unbundling of TCN and non-payment of retirement benefits.
NUEE remarked, “It is regrettable that TCN management has chosen to treat these critical issues with levity and utter disregard for its hard-working staff. We cannot continue to fold our arms while our rights are trampled upon and the electricity sector deteriorates. To this end, the union is compelled to withdraw its services immediately. Members are hereby directed to withdraw their services until management demonstrates readiness to meet its obligations to the workforce.
