Nigeria narrowly escaped a nationwide blackout yesterday as electricity workers suspended their strike after marathon talks brokered by the Federal Ministry of Power.
The Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) had directed members at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to down tools indefinitely over unresolved welfare and operational issues.
Key grievances included non-implementation of the national minimum wage, unpaid salaries since April, lack of tools and protective equipment, non-payment of retirement benefits, and lingering disputes from TCN’s unbundling.
Following emergency negotiations in Abuja involving TCN, the National Independent System Operator (NISO), the Ministry of Labour, and the unions, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed.
The parties agreed to review a committee report on October 6–7, with TCN and NISO tasked to assess financial implications and present an implementation plan.
NERC was also directed to fast-track tariff reviews for TCN and NISO to support the process.
The MoU assured that no worker would be victimised for joining the strike.
Meanwhile, Sahara Group’s Afam 2 Power Plant in Rivers State ramped up generation to 180MW, boosting national supply and strengthening Nigeria’s energy reliability agenda.
Commissioned in June 2025 by President Bola Tinubu, the facility has become a critical contributor to the grid.
Sahara Power Group’s Managing Director, Dr. Kola Adesina, hailed the milestone as proof of the company’s technical excellence, commitment to powering homes and businesses, and alignment with the Federal Government’s energy transition agenda.