The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has laid off about 800 employees as part of an extensive restructuring exercise, a move that has triggered anxiety among workers and unions in Nigeria’s power sector.

Sources within the company confirmed that the affected staff cut across technical, commercial, and administrative departments. Internal documents seen by reporters indicate that the retrenchment is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and cutting rising overhead costs.

An AEDC management source, who requested anonymity, described the decision as “painful but necessary,” citing financial strains caused by low revenue collection, growing debts, and inefficiencies in service delivery.

“This is a strategic restructuring to reposition AEDC for sustainability. The company cannot continue to operate under its current cost structure,” the source said.»

The move has, however, drawn sharp criticism from labour unions, particularly the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), which condemned the action as “inhumane and ill-timed.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NUEE warned that it may embark on industrial action if the dismissed workers are not reinstated or adequately compensated.

“You cannot throw 800 families into the streets without dialogue. This is unacceptable, and we demand immediate engagement with the union,” the statement read.»

Some affected employees expressed shock, alleging that they received termination letters abruptly and without prior notice.

The mass layoff comes amid mounting public dissatisfaction over erratic power supply in the Federal Capital Territory and neighboring states under AEDC’s franchise area.