The management of BEDC Electricity Plc has urged the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) to suspend its ongoing industrial action and restore electricity supply across its franchise area, warning that prolonged disruption is hurting households, businesses and essential services.
The appeal was made on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State, during a press briefing by the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Akinleye Ogunleye, who represented the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jonathan Lawani.
The strike began at about 2 a.m. on October 19 after workers shut down electricity feeders over unresolved concerns about salary adjustments following the national minimum wage increase, salary harmonisation and other welfare issues.
BEDC said it had implemented salary increases of between five and 70 per cent across staff categories. Between 2023 and 2025, 957 employees were promoted, while 1,314 salary adjustments were implemented.
The company also reported spending more than ₦125 million on long-service awards for over 1,394 employees and approximately ₦75 million to settle outstanding staff exit benefits accumulated over about a decade.
More than 1,000 employees have benefited from training programmes, while over 100 workers received performance-based recognition and cash incentives costing more than ₦68 million. BEDC also increased its group life insurance provision from ₦56.35 million to ₦103.15 million and spent over ₦40 million on bereavement support.
Other measures include improved healthcare coverage, annual medical examinations, end-of-year welfare packages, occupational safety measures, personal protective equipment and a formal conditions-of-service framework.
On the unresolved demands, BEDC said its latest meeting with union representatives took place on October 7, 2026. A joint committee is reviewing the minimum-wage-related salary adjustments, while an independent consultant is expected to assess the salary structure and harmonisation concerns.
The company said the review processes were still ongoing and appealed to NUEE to allow negotiations to continue while electricity supply resumes.
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BEDC apologised to affected customers and reaffirmed its commitment to staff welfare, constructive engagement and reliable electricity distribution.
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