The Benin Electricity Distribution Company has announced a salary increase for its members of staff effective December 1, 2026.
The electricity utility provider, which distributes electricity to Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement obtained from its official Facebook page.
The company affirmed the decision during an engagement with the National Union of Electricity Employees and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies.
The meeting was led by BEDC’s Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Lawani, alongside the Deputy General Secretary of SSAEAC, Dr Innocent Lord-Douglas, and the Assistant General Secretary (Field Services) of NUEE, Mbang Ntukubes, among other representatives.
“BEDC Electricity Plc has successfully concluded negotiations with representatives of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), reaching a mutually agreed resolution on consequential salary adjustments, effective December 1, 2026.
“The meeting, held on November 6, 2026, took place on the date previously agreed by Management and the labour unions for the conclusion of the process.
“Following extensive deliberations, all parties reached a consensus, with the agreements formally signed for implementation from December 1, 2026,” the statement read partly.
In October 2026, The reported that the Edo State Government reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of electricity workers, the protection of consumers’ interests, and the development of a stable, efficient, and sustainable electricity market across the state.
The state Commissioner for Power, Paul Usenbo, said the state government was aware of the industrial dispute involving NUEE members and the management of BEDC, which culminated in a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The meeting addressed critical issues affecting electricity workers, including consequential adjustments, personal protective equipment, staff promotions, staff welfare, salary harmonisation, and overtime payments. The resolutions reached included the immediate restoration of overtime payments and a three-week timeline for BEDC management to address the remaining issues in consultation with the unions.
In his remarks, however, Lawani noted that the successful conclusion of the joint negotiation and review process, which began in March 2026, “demonstrates the shared commitment of Management and the unions to staff welfare and the overall performance of BEDC.”
“He, however, described the recent industrial action as avoidable, noting that it resulted in revenue losses, reputational damage and hardship for customers.
“He explained that the process finalised at the November 6 meeting had already been agreed upon during the previous meeting held on October 7, 2026. He, therefore, expressed regret that the industrial action occurred before the pre-agreed date for its conclusion,” the statement added.
It said that during the engagement, the BEDC acting director clarified the company’s operational expenditure framework, saying it had remained unchanged since 2013, “despite rising operational costs and prevailing economic realities.
“He further explained that access to the company’s full approved OPEX allocation depends on meeting prescribed collection performance thresholds, with performance below these targets resulting in reduced allocations.
“These clarifications highlighted BEDC’s financial realities and the need for shared responsibility in balancing employee
welfare with business sustainability.”
The company’s management commended the labour unions for their cooperation and engagement, as it stressed its commitment to employee welfare, transparency, mutual respect, industrial harmony and continuous improvement in working conditions.
“The successful conclusion of the engagement marks another significant step towards strengthening trust, collaboration and shared responsibility between Management and organised labour,” it concluded.