BEDC begs union to suspend strike, says ₦2bn lost in two days

By Jethro Ibileke

The management of BEDC Electricity Plc has appealed to the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) to suspend its industrial action, which has thrown its franchise states into blackout since Sunday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Benin on Monday, October 20, 2026, the Chief Commercial Officer, Akinleye Ogunleye, who spoke on behalf of the Acting Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Jonathan Lawani, said the strike, which began at about 2 a.m. on October 19, led to the shutdown of the company’s electricity feeders and disrupted supply to customers.

The NUEE leadership had hinged the action on consequential adjustment arising from the national minimum wage, salary harmonisation and other welfare issues, which management insisted are being addressed.

Ogunleye said since the current management assumed office in October 2022, it has implemented several staff welfare initiatives, including salary increases of between 5% and 70%, promotion of 957 staff and 1,314 salary adjustments between 2023 and 2025, payment of over ₦125 million as long-service awards to 1,394 employees, and clearance of about ₦75 million backlog of exit benefits accumulated over 10 years.

Other interventions, according to him, include the development of a formal Condition of Service, end-of-year welfare packages, training of over 1,000 staff locally and internationally, performance rewards of over ₦68 million to more than 100 staff, enhanced HMO and annual medical check-ups, increase of group life insurance cover from ₦56.35 million to ₦103.15 million, regular provision of personal protective equipment, prompt payment of salaries, bereavement support of over ₦40 million, TGIF and team-bonding activities, and resolution of 98% of legacy tax matters.

On the current demands, the company said a joint management-union committee is working on the consequential adjustments, while an independent consultant is being engaged for salary harmonisation as agreed with the union.

“The most recent meeting was held on 7th October 2026,” he said, adding that management has adopted a consultative and structured approach to resolving the issues.

BEDC lamented that the shutdown has impacted households, businesses, industries, hospitals and public institutions, urging the union to consider public interest.

“We therefore implore NUEE to discontinue the industrial action, consider the welfare of the wider public, and allow electricity supply operations to resume while discussions continue,” Ogunleye said.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that the company has lost over ₦2 billion within two days as a result of the strike.

“Within these two days of this industrial action, the company has lost over two billion naira in terms of financial consideration,” he said.

He explained that the disruption has paralysed operations across the company’s franchise states, affecting revenue collection, power distribution and other critical activities.

Ogunleye added that management is engaging relevant stakeholders, including labour leaders and security agencies, to resolve the impasse and restore normal operations, and appealed to customers for understanding.