Twelve people died and 14 others sustained injuries in electricity-related accidents across Nigeria in the first quarter of 2025, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission stated, accusing the distribution companies of non-compliance with safety guidelines.
In its Q1 2025 report, NERC said a total of 31 health and safety incidents were recorded during the quarter.
“The total number of accidents in 2025/Q1 was 31, which resulted in 14 injuries and 12 fatalities,” the Commission stated.
The Commission said it had launched investigations into all the accidents and would continue to work with all sector stakeholders to improve the overall health and safety of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
Enugu Electricity Distribution Company was linked to four of the fatalities, the highest among all distribution companies. Jos DisCo was responsible for three, while Benin and Kano DisCos accounted for two fatalities each. Port Harcourt DisCo was linked to one death.
NERC also named Ibadan DisCo in connection with the death of one Mr. Moshood Salami in January, imposing sanctions on IBEDC for alleged non-compliance with safety guidelines.
NERC stated that IBEDC was sanctioned for “non-compliance with the NESI’s regulations, distribution code, and health and safety requirements in Binukonu Community, Kwara State, leading to the fatal electrocution of Master Moshood Salami.”
During the period under review, NERC said there were four deaths from illegal and unauthorised access, three from unsafe acts/conditions, two from vandalism, one from a fall from height, and others.
Relative to 2024/Q4, the number of accidents decreased by 42.59 per cent from 54 to three, while the number of fatalities decreased by 53.85 per cent from 26 to 12. The number of injuries also decreased by 26.32 per cent from 19 to 14 in Q1 2025.
During the quarter (2025/Q1), none of the generation companies recorded casualties, while among the DisCos, Aba Power, Kano, and Yola were the only outfits that did not record casualties.
“Out of the 26 casualties reported in the quarter, the licensees with the highest number of casualties were Benin (six), Eko (five), and Ibadan (five) DisCos, which represented 23.07 per cent, 19.23 per cent, and 19.23 per cent of the total, respectively.
As observed in previous quarters, DisCos continue to account for the majority of the safety challenges experienced in NESI. Cumulatively, they accounted for 100 per cent of casualties recorded in 2025/Q1, having accounted for 100 per cent, 92.98 per cent and 93.33 per cent in 2024/Q2, 2024/Q3, and 2024/Q4, respectively,” the report added.
NERC reiterated its commitment to strengthening safety enforcement.
“The Commission has initiated investigations into all reported accidents and will enforce appropriate actions where necessary. Furthermore, the Commission continues to closely monitor the implementation of licensees’ accident reduction strategies for the NESI,“ the report read.
Dare Olawin