Electricity consumers relying on the national grid may face a prolonged blackout within hours as the National Union of Electricity Employees on Wednesday began a nationwide strike over unresolved labour disputes with the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

The union, in a circular signed by its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, directed its members across the country to withdraw their services indefinitely until management addresses long-standing welfare and operational concerns.

According to NUEE, the strike became inevitable after the expiration of an ultimatum issued to TCN, accusing the company of failing to address grievances bordering on poor staff welfare, non-provision of essential tools, and disregard for workers’ rights.

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“Unfortunately, the TCN management has decided to handle these issues with kid gloves and with a lack of regard for the hardworking staff of TCN,” the notice read in part.

“We cannot continue to fold our arms while we watch our rights being violated and the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry going down the drain. To this end, the Union is compelled to withdraw its services”, it added.

The union listed its demands to include, “Implementation of the National Minimum Wage, end to casualisation of workers, provision of working tools and materials, payment of staff salaries owed since April 2025.

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“Provision of operational vehicles, supply of Personal Protective Equipment, last provided in 2021, resolution of issues arising from the unbundling of TCN and payment of outstanding retirement benefits.”

The directive, which takes immediate effect, mandates “total compliance” from all electricity workers nationwide.

The development raises fears of another wave of power outages across the country.

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NUEE had previously shut down operations in June 2024, a move that crippled power supply in many states and forced the Federal Government into emergency negotiations.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, proved unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.

The strike comes amid repeated government promises to reform the power sector, which has struggled with low generation, poor infrastructure, and labour unrest despite years of privatisation and interventions.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced the promotion of 471 junior staff members following its weekly meeting held on Thursday.

In a press release signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Thursday, the commission said the exercise was approved on the recommendation of the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee and was conducted in line with the Staff Conditions of Service.

“A total of 515 staff were shortlisted for the exercise, out of which 214 met the requirements for promotion to GL07, 134 to GL06, 106 to GL05 and 17 to GL04,” the statement read.

According to Olumekun, “The promotion of junior staff concludes the first phase of the exercise. Next is the promotion of senior staff, which has also commenced in earnest.”

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INEC described staff promotion as a routine but essential exercise.

“The commission remains committed to regular merit-based promotion and the welfare of staff,” it added.

The commission also encouraged its workforce to remain focused and dedicated, especially in light of the approaching elections.

“We urge all staff to rededicate themselves to service, particularly with regard to elections and electoral activities,” Olumekun stated.

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According to the statement, the meeting, chaired by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, also reviewed ongoing preparations for key elections in Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory, Ekiti and Osun states.

The announcement came amid speculation on Wednesday, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu had directed Yakubu to proceed on pre-retirement leave.

Yakubu, first appointed in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, is expected to complete his second five-year term in November.

Under the 1999 Constitution, the appointment of a new INEC Chairman requires the President to consult the National Council of State—a body composed of former presidents, governors and other senior officials—before forwarding a nominee to the Senate for confirmation.

The Police Service Commission has named the Chairman’s conference hall after the late Chairman and former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

The Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the conference hall, located on the sixth floor of the PSC’s headquarters, Abuja, was renamed in honour of the late Arase.

“The Police Service Commission has named its Chairman’s Hall on the 6th floor of its Corporate headquarters, as Solomon Arase Hall in honour of its late Chairman,” the statement read.

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Arase was appointed the 18th Inspector General of Police in April 2015 and retired in June 2016. He served as Chairman of the PSC till 2024 and passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja on the 31st of August 2025, aged 69.

In the statement, Ani said the current Chairman of the PSC, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), represented by the Director, Human Resource Management, Aminu Malumfashi, at a night of tribute held on Wednesday, hailed Arase as “a gentleman of rare courage and intellect.”

“Speaking at the day of tributes in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni, said his predecessor was not only a Police Officer of repute, a Scholar and a reformer, he was a gentleman of rare courage and intellect,” he said.

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According to the statement, funeral rites for the late Chairman will continue on Friday with a requiem mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, and lying in state at his Abuja residence, before his body is airlifted to Benin, Edo State, for burial.

“Tomorrow, Friday, September 26th, 2025, there will be a requiem mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja and a lying in State at his Abuja residence in Maitama on Saturday, before his remains will be airlifted to Benin, Edo State, for the continuation of the burial rites.

“A strong delegation from the Commission will also be in Edo state for the final burial rites of its former Chairman. His remains will be lowered to Mother Earth, on Friday, October 3rd, 2025, in his Benin residence,” the statement added.