Electricity workers under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have suspended their strike against the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc, raising hopes of a restoration of power supply across Delta, Edo, Ondo and Ekiti states.
The industrial action, which began at about 2am on Monday, October 19, 2026, disrupted electricity supply across the four states after workers shut down feeders over unresolved salary, allowance and welfare disputes with the company.
The strike, which lasted three days, affected businesses, healthcare providers, traders and residents, many of whom resorted to generators at increased costs.
In a statement signed by a BEDC official, Dumebi Kogolo, in Asaba, the company said the union had suspended the industrial action to allow further negotiations with management.
The statement said additional time had been granted to the board to continue discussions with the union towards reaching a lasting resolution.
“Following this development, all operations are expected to resume soon, with electricity supply and related services anticipated to return to normal as operations are progressively restored,” the statement said.
BEDC thanked customers for their patience and understanding during the disruption, assuring them of its commitment to constructive engagement with the union, employee welfare and reliable electricity distribution.
The company had earlier appealed to NUEE to suspend its picketing, restore electricity supply and return to the negotiation table in the interest of workers, customers and communities within its franchise area.
Although the suspension of the strike offers relief to affected residents, BEDC said electricity supply and related services would return to normal progressively as operations resumed.
