The Nigeria Labour Congress on Monday picketed the headquarters of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company in Abuja, protesting the alleged wrongful disengagement of about 900 workers and threatening to shut down operations within 48 hours if the dispute is not resolved.
The protest, led by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, brought activities at the company’s premises to a halt as workers vacated their offices in compliance with the union’s directive.
Ajaero described the mass sack as “the height of deceit,” accusing the management of misleading labour over the nature of the disengagement exercise.
According to him, the union initially did not oppose the move after the company reportedly claimed that only workers nearing retirement would be affected.
He, however, said investigations by the NLC revealed that many of those disengaged were far from retirement, with some having spent only a few years in service.
“A majority of those affected were not at retirement age. Some had not even spent up to five or six years in service. That is the height of deceit,” he said.
Tension escalated when NLC leaders, who had arrived for a scheduled meeting with the company’s management, discovered that the Managing Director was absent, prompting the union to abort the meeting and mobilise workers for immediate action.
The labour leader warned that failure by the company to address the matter within 48 hours would trigger a total shutdown of operations, with dire consequences for electricity supply in the Federal Capital Territory.
“If nothing is done within that time, we cannot guarantee power supply. The workers who keep the system running will stay at home, and if they are not at work, the system will naturally be affected,” Ajaero said.
He added that the industrial action would be extended to all operational zones of the company if the management fails to respond.
“This will not stop here. All AEDC stations will be affected. Operations will be halted until this matter is addressed,” he stated.
Beyond the immediate dispute, Ajaero criticised the power sector, accusing operators of exploiting consumers while flouting labour laws.
He lamented that a significant percentage of electricity billing in Abuja was based on estimated consumption without commensurate supply, describing the situation as exploitative.
The NLC president also faulted the electricity banding system, saying it created inequality in access to power while favouring distribution companies.
He further accused some generation companies of seeking huge government bailouts while failing to meet basic obligations, including the remittance of union dues.
“Some of them are asking for about ₦6tn for what is essentially darkness. At the same time, they are withholding over ₦5bn in union dues dating back to 2012.
How do you demand trillions when you cannot meet your own responsibilities?” he queried.
The union is demanding that the company publish the full list of disengaged workers, including their years of service and reasons for termination, to ensure transparency.
It also raised concerns over poor working conditions, stagnation in career progression, and unresolved welfare issues within the company.
Describing the situation as a “day of reckoning,” Ajaero warned that continued disregard for labour laws in the power sector could spark wider industrial unrest.
“History has shown that unresolved labour issues do not disappear—they resurface, often with greater consequences. Time is ticking,” he added.
He urged affected workers to remain united, insisting that the union’s demands were within the bounds of the law.
“As a union, we are not asking for anything outside the law. But if the law is followed, we will be satisfied that justice has been served,” he said.
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