Inside Edo
Businesses in Edo grapple with lingering blackout fallout from suspended electricity workers' strike
Written By: Louis Odianose Pius
27 Sep 2025 04:33 PM
Benin, Edo – Small businesses across Benin City and surrounding communities continue to count the costs of a multi-day nationwide blackout triggered by an indefinite strike from electricity workers, even as the industrial action was suspended on Thursday following federal intervention.
The disruption, which plunged homes and enterprises into darkness, has amplified soaring fuel expenses and eroded profit margins for entrepreneurs already strained by Nigeria's economic pressures.
The strike, initiated on Wednesday by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), stemmed from unresolved grievances against the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), including non-implementation of the national minimum wage, unpaid salaries since April, casualization of workers, and shortages of operational tools.
Workers downed tools, halting power distribution and threatening a total grid collapse, but the action was called off after approximately 10 hours of negotiations in Abuja, brokered by Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the unions, TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), and the Ministry of Power, committing to review a standing committee report by October 6-7 for implementation later that month, alongside tariff adjustments by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Despite the suspension, power restoration has been sluggish in Benin City, with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) struggling with operational hurdles in reconnecting the grid.
As of Saturday, most commercial hubs remained in the dark, forcing business owners to rely heavily on costly diesel and petrol generators—a lifeline that has turned into a financial burden.
The impact has been particularly acute for micro-enterprises, where slim margins offer little buffer against such crises. A barber along the Benin-Agbor Road, who declined to give his name, shared that his fuel outlays for running clippers and lights exceeded his daily earnings over the blackout period.
"I've spent more on fuel than I've made in profit these last few days," he lamented, highlighting how even brief outages compound into lost income from idle customers.
Business centers, vital for printing, photocopying, and internet services, have borne similar strains. Samuel Osatohamwen, a operator in central Benin, revealed he typically burns through ₦5,000 in petrol daily during intermittent power supply.
"But for days now, I've spent even more—over ₦6,000 each of the last two," he told Daily Nigeria, noting that the escalation has forced him to hike service fees, risking customer backlash.
"When there's no light at all, the generator runs non-stop, and prices go up whether we like it or not.", He added
Cold storage and beverage vendors faced spoilage risks without reliable refrigeration, while bars and relaxation spots scrambled to keep drinks chilled.
Mrs. Florence, proprietor of a popular drinking bar in the Sakpoba area, described the ordeal as a profit killer.
"People want cold drinks, but with no light, we’ve been burning fuel non-stop," she said, noting, "at the end of the day, there’s almost nothing left after covering costs."
Many vendors reported dumping perishable stock or turning away patrons, exacerbating food insecurity in low-income neighborhoods.
Laundry services, or "dry cleaners" as they're locally known, have also been upended. An operator at Ugbowo, speaking anonymously, warned of potential customer exodus due to delivery delays.
"Customers don’t care about our challenges—they just want their clothes ready," he explained, "but fuel is so expensive that sometimes we’re paying to work."
The reliance on generators for irons and washers has inflated operational costs by up to 50%, according to informal surveys by local trade groups.
Economists estimate that such disruptions could shave off millions from Edo State's informal sector GDP, which employs over 70% of the workforce.
Calls are mounting for emergency relief from the state government, including subsidized fuel vouchers or expedited grid repairs, amid broader critiques of Nigeria's fragile power infrastructure.
As BEDC teams race to restore supply, affected business owners like Osatohamwen urged sustained dialogue between unions and authorities.
"Strikes are our right, but the fallout hits us hardest," he said.
With the MoU's timelines looming, stakeholders hope for swift implementation to prevent future shutdowns, but for now, Benin's small enterprises flicker on borrowed time and fuel.
The disruption, which plunged homes and enterprises into darkness, has amplified soaring fuel expenses and eroded profit margins for entrepreneurs already strained by Nigeria's economic pressures.
The strike, initiated on Wednesday by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), stemmed from unresolved grievances against the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), including non-implementation of the national minimum wage, unpaid salaries since April, casualization of workers, and shortages of operational tools.
Workers downed tools, halting power distribution and threatening a total grid collapse, but the action was called off after approximately 10 hours of negotiations in Abuja, brokered by Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the unions, TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), and the Ministry of Power, committing to review a standing committee report by October 6-7 for implementation later that month, alongside tariff adjustments by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Despite the suspension, power restoration has been sluggish in Benin City, with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) struggling with operational hurdles in reconnecting the grid.
As of Saturday, most commercial hubs remained in the dark, forcing business owners to rely heavily on costly diesel and petrol generators—a lifeline that has turned into a financial burden.
The impact has been particularly acute for micro-enterprises, where slim margins offer little buffer against such crises. A barber along the Benin-Agbor Road, who declined to give his name, shared that his fuel outlays for running clippers and lights exceeded his daily earnings over the blackout period.
"I've spent more on fuel than I've made in profit these last few days," he lamented, highlighting how even brief outages compound into lost income from idle customers.
Business centers, vital for printing, photocopying, and internet services, have borne similar strains. Samuel Osatohamwen, a operator in central Benin, revealed he typically burns through ₦5,000 in petrol daily during intermittent power supply.
"But for days now, I've spent even more—over ₦6,000 each of the last two," he told Daily Nigeria, noting that the escalation has forced him to hike service fees, risking customer backlash.
"When there's no light at all, the generator runs non-stop, and prices go up whether we like it or not.", He added
Cold storage and beverage vendors faced spoilage risks without reliable refrigeration, while bars and relaxation spots scrambled to keep drinks chilled.
Mrs. Florence, proprietor of a popular drinking bar in the Sakpoba area, described the ordeal as a profit killer.
"People want cold drinks, but with no light, we’ve been burning fuel non-stop," she said, noting, "at the end of the day, there’s almost nothing left after covering costs."
Many vendors reported dumping perishable stock or turning away patrons, exacerbating food insecurity in low-income neighborhoods.
Laundry services, or "dry cleaners" as they're locally known, have also been upended. An operator at Ugbowo, speaking anonymously, warned of potential customer exodus due to delivery delays.
"Customers don’t care about our challenges—they just want their clothes ready," he explained, "but fuel is so expensive that sometimes we’re paying to work."
The reliance on generators for irons and washers has inflated operational costs by up to 50%, according to informal surveys by local trade groups.
Economists estimate that such disruptions could shave off millions from Edo State's informal sector GDP, which employs over 70% of the workforce.
Calls are mounting for emergency relief from the state government, including subsidized fuel vouchers or expedited grid repairs, amid broader critiques of Nigeria's fragile power infrastructure.
As BEDC teams race to restore supply, affected business owners like Osatohamwen urged sustained dialogue between unions and authorities.
"Strikes are our right, but the fallout hits us hardest," he said.
With the MoU's timelines looming, stakeholders hope for swift implementation to prevent future shutdowns, but for now, Benin's small enterprises flicker on borrowed time and fuel.
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