The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (Kaduna Electric) has sacked 900 of its workers, a move that has sparked an indefinite strike by the affected employees and their union. The company announced the mass layoffs in a statement dated January 31, 2025, informing the workers that their services were no longer required as part of efforts to adapt operations to current challenges.

The sacked employees began receiving their termination letters in early February 2025, which outlined their severance benefits. The company stated that each worker would receive a total net benefit of approximately ₦494,481.18, covering 13th-month pay and nine months’ basic salary. However, the accrued pension liabilities, amounting to about ₦1,225,164.63 per worker, were to be paid later into their retirement savings accounts. Kaduna Electric urged the workers to return all company property, including identification cards and work tools, as part of the exit process.

The decision to sack the workers followed a performance review meeting chaired by the Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Umar Abubakar Hashidu, and the Board Chairman, Aminu Suleiman, among others. The company framed the layoffs as necessary to meet operational challenges but did not provide detailed justifications for the scale of the dismissals.

In response, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) declared an indefinite strike, shutting down Kaduna Electric’s operations. Acting General Secretary of NUEE, Dominic Igwebike, condemned the sack as unjustified and called on the workers to maintain the industrial action until further notice. The union criticized the company for poor communication and inadequate handling of workers’ rights, emphasizing that many of the affected employees had served the company for over a decade.

The strike has caused significant disruption to power distribution in Kaduna State, affecting households and businesses alike. Workers and union leaders have also raised concerns about the delayed payment of pensions and other benefits, issues that have plagued the company for years.

Local residents and stakeholders have expressed worry over the prolonged power outages and urged both the management and the union to find a swift resolution. The situation underscores broader challenges in Nigeria’s power sector, including labor relations, pension management, and operational efficiency.

This development highlights the ongoing struggle between management’s efforts to restructure and employees’ fight for fair treatment and job security.