Affected staff accuse Abuja Electricity Distribution Company of unfair disengagement, unpaid bonuses and pension contributions, vow to approach National Industrial Court if demands are ignored
Disengaged workers of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) have threatened to take legal action over what they described as unfair and unlawful termination of their employment, raising fresh concerns about labour practices within Nigeria’s power sector.
The affected workers, estimated at about 800, were laid off during a workforce restructuring exercise carried out by the company in late 2025. The former employees alleged that the disengagement process was conducted without proper consultation and failed to comply with statutory labour requirements.
According to the workers, several entitlements remain unpaid, including outstanding bonuses, pension contributions, promotion-related benefits, and refunds of alleged unlawful deductions. They also claimed that the severance packages offered by AEDC did not adequately reflect their years of service or the long-term impact of the sudden job losses on their livelihoods.
The disengaged staff further criticised the company’s response to their demands, stating that AEDC reportedly replied to their formal complaints via email rather than through an officially acknowledged correspondence, which they described as unprofessional and dismissive.
In a letter issued through their legal representatives, P. H. Ogbolé, SAN & Co., the former workers warned that they would approach the National Industrial Court of Nigeria if their grievances are not urgently addressed. They are demanding a comprehensive review of the disengagement process, full payment of all outstanding entitlements, and compensation for alleged violations of labour laws.
The development has intensified scrutiny of electricity distribution companies operating in the Federal Capital Territory, amid growing calls for improved labour relations, transparency, and accountability within Nigeria’s power sector.
