Residents of Kano metropolis and surrounding areas were thrown into darkness on Wednesday, January 21, as workers of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) embarked on an indefinite strike over alleged poor working conditions.
Naijaonpoint reports that the strike was jointly declared by the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies and the National Union of Electricity Employees following the failure of the company’s management to meet workers’ demands after the expiration of an ultimatum on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Following the commencement of the industrial action, socio-economic activities in parts of the state were disrupted as electricity supply was cut off across Kano and its environs.
Members of both unions on Wednesday picketed the KEDCO headquarters, barricading the entrance and preventing official activities at the office.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, the Deputy President-General (North) of SSAEAC, Rilwan Shehu, said the strike became inevitable due to what he described as management’s failure to honour several agreements reached with workers over the years.
“We are here to lock down activities because they failed to comply with so many agreements.
“Since 2014, we have struggled with issues ranging from non-remittance of pensions to settlement of death benefits and poor working environment. Many things are being sidelined,” the PUNCH quoted Shehu saying.
Also speaking, the Vice President (North-West) of NUEE, Ado Gaya, accused the company’s management of bias in its recent promotion exercise.
“Just recently, they conducted a promotion exercise. For the past ten or eleven years, you can find staff here without any promotion,” Gaya alleged.
“But in their own personal interest, they are now doing selective promotions.”
KEDCO Denies Allegations
However, KEDCO management swiftly denied the claims, insisting that staff welfare has remained a priority since the current leadership assumed office.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of Corporate Communications, Sani Bala Sani, the company said it inherited both legacy and current staff welfare challenges but has taken concrete steps to address them.
“KEDCO wishes to clarify that the recent picketing of its offices by the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) arose from legacy and current staff welfare concerns,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the management has, in the last seven months, implemented a structured welfare programme, particularly in the area of pension remittances.
“Since assuming office seven months ago, the current management has prioritised staff welfare and entitlements, implementing a structured welfare programme to address outstanding issues, particularly staff pensions.
“To date, over 80 per cent of the agreed 2025 pension remittances have been paid,” the statement said.
KEDCO also dismissed claims of selective promotions, stating that the recent promotion exercise was conducted transparently and in line with company policy.
It disclosed that 1,500 eligible staff were promoted during the exercise.
Bala Sani added that the company was engaging relevant stakeholders to resolve the dispute and restore normal operations.
“The company assures all stakeholders that employee welfare remains a top priority and that all necessary measures are being implemented to restore stability and maintain industrial harmony,” he said.