The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has begun a mass retrenchment affecting about 800 employees, as Nigerians continue to contend with rising inflation, high living costs, and unreliable electricity supply.

The layoffs, which started on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, are part of AEDC’s ongoing rightsizing and internal restructuring programme covering the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa states.

Initially, AEDC planned to disengage 1,800 staff, but the number was reduced to 800 following negotiations with the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

A letter titled “Notification of Disengagement from Service,” signed by AEDC’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Adeniyi Adejola, confirmed the move and stated that affected staff would receive all due entitlements after completing exit procedures.

The letter read in part: “We regret to inform you that your services with the company will no longer be required, effective 5th November 2025. Applicable deductions, including PAYE, check-off dues, outstanding loans, and unretired advances (if any), will be made in line with company policy and statutory provisions.”

The retrenchment highlights ongoing instability in Nigeria’s power sector, which continues to face low investment, ageing infrastructure, and poor cost recovery, despite over a decade of privatisation and reforms.

AEDC has previously faced regulatory and financial challenges, including narrowly avoiding licence suspension in 2023 due to payment defaults and management disputes. Analysts warn that the job cuts could stretch the company’s workforce further and worsen public dissatisfaction in Abuja and neighbouring states.

Confirming the exercise, AEDC’s Head of Customer Experience, Kenechukwu Ofili, described it as a “routine restructuring process” and assured that a formal statement would be issued soon.