The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has sacked about 800 employees, in what it describes as part of an “ongoing rightsizing exercise.”

The mass layoff — which began on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 — comes amid Nigeria’s deepening power crisis, rising inflation, and growing public frustration over erratic electricity supply.

According to The PUNCH, AEDC’s management had initially proposed to disengage 1,800 workers, but reduced the number to 800 after tense negotiations with labour unions, including the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

A copy of the disengagement letter, signed by Adeniyi Adejola, AEDC’s Chief Human Resources Officer, confirmed that the move was part of a restructuring plan. It stated that affected employees would receive their full entitlements after completing exit formalities.

“This decision follows the outcome of the company’s ongoing rightsizing exercise,” the letter read.
“Please be assured that this decision was made after careful consideration and in accordance with company policy.”

The company added that all deductions and benefits would be processed in line with internal and statutory procedures.

Insiders said the unions had resisted the initial retrenchment plan but later agreed to the reduced figure after “intense pressure.”

The move highlights the persistent challenges in Nigeria’s power sector, plagued by funding shortfalls, infrastructure decay, and regulatory disputes.

AEDC, which serves Abuja, Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa States, has faced repeated scrutiny from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over poor service delivery and unpaid obligations.

When contacted, AEDC’s Head of Customer Experience, Kenechukwu Ofili, confirmed the layoffs, describing them as a “routine organizational adjustment” and promised an official statement soon.

Analysts warn that the decision could further strain operations and worsen customer dissatisfaction in the already fragile power distribution system.