Kano Residents Endure Prolonged Blackout Amid KEDCO Workers' Indefinite Strike
Residents and businesses across Kano State have been plunged into darkness following the commencement of an indefinite strike by workers of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO). The industrial action, which began on Wednesday, stems from unresolved welfare issues and alleged poor working conditions that have persisted for years.
Labor Unions Accuse Management of Breaching Agreements
The strike is being led by two prominent labor unions: the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE). Workers have picketed KEDCO's head office, insisting that management has failed to honor multiple agreements reached over the past decade.
According to Rilwan Shehu, Deputy President-General (North) of SSAEAC, the dispute involves critical issues including non-remittance of pensions, unsettled death benefits, and inadequate working environments. "We are here to lock down activities because they failed to comply with so many agreements. Since 2014, we have struggled with these unresolved matters," Shehu stated during a press briefing.
Allegations of Selective Promotions Add to Tensions
Further complicating the situation, NUEE's Vice President (North-West), Ado Gaya, has accused KEDCO management of conducting biased promotion exercises. Gaya claimed that some employees have remained without promotion for over a decade, while recent promotions have been selectively awarded based on personal interests rather than merit.
"For the past ten or eleven years, you can find staff here without any promotion. But in their own personal interest, they are now doing selective promotions," Gaya alleged, highlighting what workers perceive as systemic unfairness in career advancement opportunities.
KEDCO Management Denies Allegations, Cites Progress
In response to the accusations, KEDCO management has issued a strong denial, asserting that staff welfare has been a top priority since the current leadership assumed office seven months ago. The company's Head of Corporate Communications, Sani Bala Sani, released a statement detailing their efforts to address outstanding entitlements.
The statement revealed that KEDCO has implemented a structured welfare program and has already paid over 80% of the agreed 2025 pension remittances. Additionally, the company emphasized that a transparent promotion exercise recently resulted in the advancement of 1,500 eligible staff members in accordance with established company policies.
Widespread Impact on Socio-Economic Activities
The strike has caused significant disruption across Kano metropolis and surrounding areas, with large sections experiencing complete blackouts. Households, businesses, and essential services have been affected, creating uncertainty about when normal electricity supply might resume.
KEDCO has promised to engage with relevant stakeholders to resolve the dispute and restore industrial harmony. "The company assures all stakeholders that employee welfare remains a top priority and that all necessary measures are being implemented to restore stability," the statement concluded.
Broader Context of Electricity Sector Labor Unrest
This industrial action in Kano occurs against a backdrop of similar disputes within Nigeria's electricity distribution sector. Recent weeks have seen strikes affecting other regions, including Kaduna State where electricity workers also embarked on indefinite strike action over similar welfare concerns.
The situation highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria's power sector, where labor disputes frequently intersect with service delivery issues, affecting millions of consumers across multiple states. As negotiations continue between KEDCO management and labor representatives, Kano residents remain in darkness with no clear timeline for resolution.
