The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has stated that its decision to terminate the employment of 800 workers is based on urgent operational restructuring aimed at ensuring improved services to customers, as well as enhanced operational efficiency and excellence.
AEDC commenced a sweeping retrenchment exercise affecting about 800 employees.
In an official statement released on its website in Abuja on Friday, AEDC management explained that the restructuring was in line with its corporate transformation strategy.
According to the company, the restructuring is also in line with its strategic direction to become more agile, innovative, and customer-centric.
“As part of the transformation, we have promoted high-performing staff, released retiring employees and those performing below par.
“We have put in motion the implementation of a robust employee development and customer management plan aimed at driving our customer-centric focus.
“The company 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,”
It said: The mass layoff, which began on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, follows months of internal restructuring at the utility firm, which serves the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa States.
Multiple sources familiar with the development within the company told The Punch that management had initially proposed sacking 1,800 workers before reducing the number to 800 after a series of tense negotiations with the National Union of Electricity Employees and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies.
“The management wanted to sack 1800, but after much pressure, they brought it down to 800. The unions initially insisted that nobody should be sacked,” the employee, who pleaded not to be named in order not to be victimised, told the Punch.
“The unions first said nobody should be sacked, but later they allegedly agreed to 800. The affected staff were supposed to start receiving their letters from Monday, but it was delayed, and then yesterday, the affected staff started receiving letters,” another source familiar with the development revealed.
A sample of the disengagement letter titled “Notification of Disengagement from Service”, seen by LEADERSHIP dated November 5, 2025, and signed by AEDC’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Adeniyi Adejola, confirmed that the exercise was part of an “ongoing rightsizing process.”
