Four states face total blackout  as BEDC workers begin indefinite strike

By Diden Abigail Owuntarose

Electricity supply has been disrupted across Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states following an industrial action by workers of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) over disputes concerning salaries, wage adjustments and welfare packages.

The strike, organised by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), began in the early hours of Monday, October 19, 2026, after union members shut down critical operational facilities of the electricity distribution company.

The action reportedly affected BEDC’s headquarters in Benin City, Edo State, where union officials prevented some employees from accessing the company’s premises and shut down facilities essential to electricity distribution.

The disruption left customers across the company’s four-state franchise area without electricity, forcing some workers to leave their offices earlier than scheduled.

According to reports, the industrial action followed disagreements over workers’ emoluments, adjustments arising from the national minimum wage and other welfare-related concerns.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, BEDC management acknowledged the disruption, explaining that the union’s action had significantly affected the company’s ability to supply electricity to customers across its operational areas.

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The company said the issues raised by the union had been the subject of engagements with its leadership, including discussions on salary harmonisation and outstanding employee welfare matters.

BEDC maintained that its management had taken steps to improve workers’ welfare since October 2022, including salary reviews, staff promotions, adjustments to remuneration and the settlement of some outstanding employee benefits.

The company also appealed to the union to suspend the industrial action and allow electricity supply operations to resume while negotiations continued.

However, a senior BEDC staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed surprise at the shutdown, claiming that management had recently reviewed workers’ emoluments.

Efforts to reach the Edo State Chairman of NUEE, Williams Uwumarogie, for comments were reportedly unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the Acting State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bernard Egwakide, said the labour centre had previously intervened in the dispute.

Egwakide disclosed that NUEE leaders were meeting with BEDC management to seek a resolution, adding that the outcome of the discussions would determine whether the NLC would intervene again.

The prolonged disruption has raised concerns about the consequences for households, businesses and essential services that depend on electricity across the four affected states.

Small businesses, including barbershops, tailoring outlets, food vendors and other enterprises that rely on electricity for daily operations, face the prospect of increased operating costs as they turn to generators and other alternative power sources.

Healthcare facilities have also been identified as particularly vulnerable to prolonged power outages because electricity is essential for operating medical equipment, preserving medicines and supporting critical patient care.

The strike has renewed concerns about the impact of labour disputes on electricity distribution and the need for a lasting resolution that addresses workers’ welfare without prolonging hardship for consumers.

As of the latest reports on Tuesday, October 20, BEDC management was appealing for the immediate suspension of the industrial action and the restoration of electricity supply while negotiations with the union continued.