Electricity workers in Kaduna State, under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), have embarked on an indefinite strike to protest the mass dismissal of 900 staff by the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO).
On Monday, the aggrieved workers blocked KAEDCO’s corporate headquarters, preventing employees and customers from accessing the premises. They also accused the management of failing to pay outstanding death and retirement benefits, as required by their service agreements.
NUEE’s Northwest Zonal Organiser, Pukat Ayuba, declared that the strike would continue until KAEDCO reverses the terminations and settles all owed benefits.
“A year ago, we shut down Kaduna Electric over unresolved staff issues, including pensions and welfare. A year later, nothing has changed,” Ayuba stated.
“Terminating 900 employees without following due process is unacceptable and worsens Nigeria’s growing economic challenges.”
In a letter dated January 31, 2025, KAEDCO’s Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, directed the affected workers to return company property. While the letter assured arrangements for severance packages, it also confirmed that their services had been terminated effective January 31.
This is not the first dispute between NUEE and KAEDCO. In March 2024, electricity workers went on strike over poor working conditions, leaving customers in Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi States without power.
With the latest strike, electricity supply in these regions is once again at risk, raising concerns over prolonged disruptions.
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