The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has embarked on a mass retrenchment of staff in major restructuring of the company.
In a statement released by the company on Friday, November 7, the Abuja DisCo said the restructuring exercise is in line with the company’s transformation strategy aimed at delivering improved services to customers and enhancing operational efficiency.
“The restructuring is in line with our strategic direction to become more agile, innovative, and customer-centric,” part of the statement read.
It said high-performing staff were promoted while retiring and low-performing employees were laid off.
The utility firm further said it has begun implementation of an employee development and customer management plan “aimed at driving our customer-centric focus.”
“AEDC is committed to providing reliable, safe, and sustainable electricity to its customers across its touchpoints, supporting the growth and development of Nigeria’s energy sector.
“AEDC is committed to providing reliable, safe, and sustainable electricity to its customers across its touchpoints, supporting the growth and development of Nigeria’s energy sector.”
Reports however, indicated that not less than 800 staff were affected in the restructuring exercise.
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This comes at a time when citizens are grappling with severe economic hardship caused by inflation and cost of living crisis.
There are indications that the electricity DisCo, which serves the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa States, began the mass layoff on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
It was gathered that after a series of negotiations with the National Union of Electricity Employees and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, the management of the Abuja DisCo disengaged the affected staff and agreed to pay their due entitlements after they have completed the exit clearance process.
The mass layoff comes at a time when many electricity DisCos are facing challenges, a reflection of the broader persisting crisis in Nigeria’s power sector.
While Nigerian electricity users continue to experience poor power supply, the sector has been grappling with weak infrastructure, electricity theft, low investment, and liquidity crisis.
In April 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), slammed a fine of ₦200 million on Abuja DisCo for failure to adhere to the prescribed customer band classifications for tariff billing.
In a September 2024 Supplementary Order, NERC levied a fine of ₦1.69 billion for overbilling customers between January to September 2023.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
