AEDC Sacks Workers Again Amid Chaos — Nigerians React to Endless Layoffs and Worsening Power Supply

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has once again plunged into controversy after announcing another round of massive staff layoffs, sparking anger among employees and customers alike.

This marks yet another episode in Nigeria’s troubled power sector, where repeated promises of reform often end in chaos, poor leadership, and worsening service quality. AEDC’s latest decision adds fuel to a growing public perception that the company has lost its way.

The “Restructuring” Excuse Returns

AEDC claims the layoffs are part of a new “transformation strategy” to improve efficiency and reward performance. But many Nigerians dismiss it as a recycled justification for instability and mismanagement that have plagued the company for years.

“AEDC sacks workers every year, and yet power keeps getting worse,” said a civil servant in Abuja. “They call it restructuring, but nothing ever changes.”

Years of Repetition and Rot

The latest layoffs, confirmed on November 7, 2025, affect staff across Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi States — areas already struggling with poor electricity and inflated billing. Despite numerous “reforms,” customers report no visible improvement in power delivery or transparency.

Social media has been flooded with complaints from frustrated customers who say the layoffs are worsening service delays and poor response times.

“I paid extra ₦50,000 to fast-track my prepaid meter and still got nothing,” said a resident of Mararaba. “Now they’ve sacked workers again — who will attend to us?”

Small businesses in Abuja say AEDC’s erratic billing and unreliable supply are crippling productivity. Many have resorted to generators and solar systems, calling AEDC “a disaster company.”

Low Morale and Leadership Crisis

“Morale is dead inside AEDC. Every new management phase begins with fear and ends with sack letters,” said a senior employee who requested anonymity.

Analysts warn that repeated layoffs are stripping AEDC of experienced hands while doing little to fix core issues such as corruption, weak infrastructure, and outdated billing systems.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had earlier warned AEDC over violations of billing caps and customer service failures, but enforcement remains weak.

The Cycle of “Reform” Without Progress

Critics describe AEDC’s “reforms” as empty rituals — new slogans, mass firings, and press statements, followed by the same inefficiency and confusion.

Power analyst Dr. Michael Odo summed it up: “AEDC doesn’t have a manpower problem — it has a management problem. Firing workers every few months isn’t reform; it’s confusion.”

Despite repeated promises of improvement, the company’s customer lines barely function, offices are understaffed, and billing errors persist. The result is an organization that’s fast losing public trust.

Public Outrage and Call for Accountability

Public anger is palpable. Nigerians are demanding transparency from both AEDC and regulators. Some consumer groups are calling for a full audit of the company’s finances and management processes.

“AEDC keeps sacking workers but never sacks its problems,” said one outraged customer on X (formerly Twitter).

Until AEDC tackles corruption, poor management, and infrastructure decay, experts say no amount of restructuring will bring real change. For now, the company remains a symbol of Nigeria’s larger power sector dysfunction — where accountability is scarce and reform is only a slogan.

By Ekolense News Desk