NERC REPORTS 33 DEATHS, 33 INJURIES FROM ELECTRICITY-RELATED ACCIDENTS IN THREE MONTHS
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Latest data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that 33 people were killed, while another 33 sustained varying degrees of injuries in electricity-related accidents nationwide.
According to the Q3 2025 report, a total of 57 electricity-related accidents were recorded nationwide during the period under review.
The incidents were reported across multiple distribution zones, with the Ikeja and Kano electricity distribution areas accounting for the highest number. Both zones recorded 10 accidents each during the quarter.
In Ikeja, the accidents resulted in six injuries and four fatalities, while Kano recorded six deaths and four injuries.
Other distribution areas, including Abuja, Jos, Aba, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Yola, also reported varying but concerning levels of incidents. Eko, Kaduna, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) were likewise affected. In many cases, the accidents led to severe injuries, fatalities, or both.
Unsafe acts and hazardous conditions accounted for the highest number of injuries and were jointly responsible for the highest number of fatalities, while wire snaps ranked among the deadliest hazards, causing 10 deaths and seven injuries during the quarter.
Overall, unsafe practices or conditions led to 10 fatalities and 18 injuries, highlighting the impact of human error, weak safety culture, and poor enforcement of operational standards by licensees.
Illegal or unauthorised access to electricity installations also contributed to the casualty figures, resulting in two deaths and three injuries during the period under review.
Although vandalism accounted for fewer incidents, it still led to two fatalities during the quarter.
The report further revealed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) recorded four cases of damage to property and infrastructure during the quarter, resulting from explosions, fire outbreaks, or acts of vandalism.
NERC, however, said it launched investigations into all reported incidents and signalled its readiness to enforce appropriate sanctions where necessary.
The regulator also disclosed that it held periodic health and safety managers’ meetings aimed at improving safety performance across the electricity industry. These meetings bring together health and safety officers from power companies to review incident reports, share lessons learned, and identify areas requiring urgent improvement.
In addition, NERC said it supervised the successful conclusion of two compensation negotiations between electricity companies and the families of victims during the period under review, underscoring ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of such accidents.
The report further indicated that in the preceding quarter (Q2), 38 fatalities were recorded, 19 people sustained injuries, and a total of 60 accidents were reported across the sector.
According to NERC, a comparison with Q2 2025 shows a slight improvement in overall safety outcomes. While the number of accidents declined from 60 to 57 and fatalities dropped from 38 to 33, the number of injuries rose significantly from 19 to 33.
The regulator noted that all the accidents recorded during the quarter occurred at the distribution level, with neither the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) nor any generation companies (Gencos) reporting safety incidents. Although all electricity distribution companies (Discos) recorded casualties, Ikeja and Kano Discos accounted for the highest number, with 10 casualties each, followed by Eko and Kaduna with eight apiece. These figures represent 15.15 per cent and 12.12 per cent of the total 66 casualties recorded during the quarter, respectively.
NERC added that the trend of the distribution segment being the major driver of safety incidents in the electricity sector persisted, noting that Discos accounted for 93.33 per cent, 100 per cent, and 100 per cent of recorded accidents in Q4 2024, Q1 2025, and Q2 2025, respectively.
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