Industrial Conflict and Its Resolution Mechanisms in Nigeria’s Electricity Distribution Companies: A Study of IKEDC

This study examines industrial conflict patterns and resolution mechanisms in the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC), Lagos State, South West Nigeria. As one of Nigeria's largest electricity distribution companies, IKEDC manages a complex workforce operating under significant technical, regulatory, and customer service pressures, creating conditions fertile for recurring labour disputes. A professional case study research design was employed, with data collected from 75 employees, union representatives, and management officials through structured questionnaires and interview sessions. The Pluralist Theory of Industrial Relations and the Interest-Based Negotiation Framework provide the theoretical foundation, supplemented by recent literature on utility sector labour management. Findings reveal that the most frequent categories of industrial conflict at IKEDC involve wage disputes, disagreement over safety allowances, arbitrary transfer orders, and non-payment of overtime. The study identifies structural deficiencies in the company's conflict resolution architecture, including slow grievance response times averaging 45 days, inadequate management training in negotiation, and a joint consultative committee that meets irregularly and lacks executive authority to implement agreed resolutions. The availability of the National Industrial Court has provided an important backstop mechanism, but court processes are found to be slow and costly for both parties. Recommendations include redesigning the grievance procedure for a maximum 14-day resolution timeline, upgrading the joint consultative committee mandate, and investing in interest-based negotiation training for both management and union teams. This study is relevant to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, IKEDC management, and utility HR practitioners. Keywords: industrial conflict, conflict resolution, electricity distribution, IKEDC, employment relations