Electricity supply has been restored to major parts of Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states following the suspension of industrial action by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), while residents and businesses in Edo State continue to experience power disruptions as the strike remains unresolved.
The industrial action, which began on Monday, October 19, 2026, disrupted electricity supply across the four states served by Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Electricity Plc. The union’s demands include consequential salary adjustments linked to the national minimum wage, salary harmonisation, promotions, overtime payments, personal protective equipment and other workers’ welfare issues.
Key Highlights
- BEDC says electricity restoration has begun in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti after NUEE suspended its strike in the three states.
- Major towns in Delta, including Asaba, Warri, Effurun and Ughelli, reportedly regained power.
- The industrial action disrupted electricity supply across BEDC’s franchise area covering four states.
- BEDC reported losing more than ₦2 billion in revenue during the first two days of the strike.
- Electricity disruptions continue in Edo State, where the industrial action remains unresolved.
- Negotiations are continuing between the electricity company, the union and other stakeholders.
BEDC Restores Electricity in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti
BEDC announced on Wednesday, October 21, that NUEE had suspended the industrial action in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti following consultations involving relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Labour.
The company said it was prioritising the safe and gradual restoration of electricity supply in the three states while continuing discussions aimed at resolving the outstanding labour issues.
The suspension followed several days of disruption that affected homes, businesses, healthcare providers and other essential services across the company’s franchise area.
Reports from Delta indicated that electricity returned to major towns and commercial centres, including Asaba, Warri, Effurun and Ughelli, by Wednesday evening.
Technical teams from BEDC and the Transmission Company of Nigeria reportedly worked to re-energise affected distribution feeders as supply gradually returned. Restoration efforts were also under way in Ondo and Ekiti.
Why NUEE Workers Embarked on Strike
The industrial action began in the early hours of Monday, October 19, when NUEE members shut down electricity feeders operated by BEDC.
The union’s grievances include unresolved issues relating to consequential salary adjustments arising from the national minimum wage, harmonisation of salary structures, promotions, overtime payments, provision of personal protective equipment and other welfare concerns.
The shutdown affected electricity consumers across Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states, forcing many households and businesses to rely on alternative power sources.
Small businesses, hotels, hospitals and other service providers faced additional operating costs as they turned to diesel and petrol generators during the blackout.
BEDC Reports More Than ₦2 Billion in Revenue Losses
BEDC management said the strike cost the company more than ₦2 billion in revenue within the first two days of the shutdown.
The company had appealed to NUEE to suspend the industrial action to allow negotiations to continue without further disruption to electricity consumers.
According to BEDC, management had begun addressing some of the union’s concerns, including establishing a joint management-union committee on minimum-wage adjustments and planning to engage an independent consultant to review salary harmonisation.
The company also apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and reiterated its commitment to employee welfare and constructive industrial relations.
BEDC maintained that its operations were disrupted by the union’s action and said it was working with relevant stakeholders to restore normal service.
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Blackout Continues in Edo State
Despite the resumption of electricity supply in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti, Edo State remains affected by the industrial dispute.
BEDC said the strike was still ongoing in Edo as of Wednesday, October 21, with discussions continuing to find an amicable resolution.
The situation has created a contrast across the company’s franchise area, where consumers in three states have begun receiving electricity again while customers in Edo continue to face disruptions.
No definite timeline for full restoration in Edo had been announced in the information available as of Thursday, October 22.
The continued disruption is particularly significant because BEDC’s headquarters is located in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
House of Representatives Calls for Federal Intervention
The blackout prompted calls for government intervention, with the House of Representatives urging the Federal Government to help resolve the dispute and restore electricity supply across the affected states.
The intervention appeal followed complaints about the impact of the shutdown on households, businesses and essential services.
A lasting resolution will depend on negotiations between BEDC management and NUEE over the outstanding salary and welfare demands, alongside arrangements to prevent further disruption to consumers.
BEDC Appeals for Patience as Talks Continue
BEDC has urged customers to remain patient while restoration work continues in the three states where the strike has been suspended.
The company said it remained committed to resolving the labour dispute through engagement with the union and other relevant stakeholders.
While electricity supply has returned to substantial parts of Delta, Ondo and Ekiti, the situation in Edo remains unresolved. Consumers in the affected areas will be looking for further updates on negotiations and the restoration of normal service.
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