The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced plans to investigate the deaths of 38 electricity workers who lost their lives while on duty in the second quarter of 2025. The fatalities, all recorded within the operations of electricity distribution companies (DisCos), mark a troubling decline in the safety performance of Nigeria’s power sector.
According to the Commission’s Second Quarter 2025 Report, the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) witnessed a sharp rise in workplace accidents and fatalities compared to the previous quarter.
“Relative to 2025/Q1, the number of accidents increased from 31 to 60, fatalities rose from 12 to 38, and injuries increased from 14 to 19,” NERC stated.
The report revealed that while no casualties were recorded by the generation companies (GenCos) or the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), all incidents occurred in the distribution segment of the electricity value chain.
“During the quarter, none of the GenCos and TCN recorded casualties, whereas all the DisCos recorded casualties. Out of the 57 total casualties, the licensees with the highest numbers were Ibadan (11), Kano (10), Benin (5), Eko (5), and Jos (5) DisCos,” the report noted.
These five distribution companies accounted for 63 per cent of all recorded casualties within the quarter.
NERC expressed concern that DisCos continue to present the greatest safety risks in the industry, maintaining a consistent pattern of workplace incidents over the last four quarters.
“As observed in previous quarters, DisCos continue to account for the majority of safety challenges in NESI. They were responsible for 100 per cent of casualties in Q2 2025, having accounted for 92.98 per cent, 93.33 per cent, and 100 per cent in Q3 and Q4 2024, and Q1 2025, respectively,” the regulator stated.
In line with Section 34(1)(e) of the Electricity Act 2023, NERC reiterated its commitment to ensuring safe and reliable electricity delivery. The Commission said it continually monitors health and safety compliance within the sector and mandates operators to submit monthly safety reports as part of their licensing obligations.
“The Commission monitors the health and safety performance of NESI. Licensees are required to submit monthly reports in accordance with their licence conditions. During the period, 102 out of 105 mandatory submissions were received,” the report added.
NERC pledged to enforce full compliance with safety reporting and apply sanctions against erring operators.
Although no deaths were recorded by the TCN, the transmission company reported 11 cases of asset damage resulting from explosions, fires, and vandalism.
“The Commission has initiated investigations into all reported accidents and will enforce appropriate actions where necessary,” NERC said.
Beyond enforcement, the regulator stated that it is working to instil a stronger safety culture across the industry.
“The Commission continues to closely monitor the implementation of licensees’ accident reduction strategies and organises initiatives such as the Health and Safety Managers’ Meeting to improve the overall safety performance of the NESI,” the report concluded.
The latest figures underscore growing concerns about workplace safety in Nigeria’s power sector, even as NERC intensifies efforts to improve regulatory compliance and safeguard workers’ lives.
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