The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has indicated its intention to investigate the tragic deaths of 38 electricity workers that occurred during the second quarter of 2025, all of which were reported by electricity distribution companies.
This alarming revelation was unveiled in the commission’s report for the second quarter, which underscored a noticeable decline in safety performance within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry during the specified timeframe.
“Comparative to the first quarter of 2025, the incidents of accidents surged from 31 to 60, the toll of fatalities escalated from 12 to 38, and the count of injuries rose from 14 to 19,” noted NERC.
The regulatory body clarified that there were no fatalities reported from generation companies or the Transmission Company of Nigeria, as all the mishaps transpired exclusively within the distribution sector.
It elaborated, “Throughout the second quarter of 2025, none of the GenCos and TCN faced casualties, while all the DisCos encountered losses. Among the 57 reported casualties, the distribution companies with the highest fatalities were Ibadan (11), Kano (10), Benin (5), Eko (5), and Jos (5) DisCos.”
Collectively, these five distribution companies accounted for a staggering 63 percent of all casualties recorded in that quarter.
The commission also expressed deep-seated concern regarding the ongoing safety hazards that distribution companies pose within the industry.
“As noted in prior quarters, DisCos persist in being the primary contributors to the safety challenges observed in the NESI. Cumulatively, they constituted 100 percent of the fatalities reported in the second quarter of 2025, having previously represented 92.98 percent, 93.33 percent, and 100 percent in the third and fourth quarters of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, respectively,” stated NERC.
The commission further emphasized its obligation under Section 34(1)(e) of the Electricity Act 2023 to guarantee safe and reliable electricity delivery, while actively working to bolster compliance among operators.
In line with Section 34(1)(e) of the EA 2023, which mandates the commission to ensure safety and reliability of electricity to consumers, the commission diligently monitors the health and safety performance within the NESI. Licensees are required to submit monthly health and safety reports to the commission in accordance with their licensing agreements,” the statement confirmed.
The report highlighted that 102 out of 105 obligatory health and safety submissions were received during this period.
The commission asserted its commitment to enforcing complete reporting compliance by licensees as stipulated in their licensing terms and will impose sanctions where necessary.
While the TCN reported no fatalities, NERC disclosed that the transmission company experienced multiple instances of asset damage.
“TCN documented 11 instances of property or infrastructure damage due to explosions, fire incidents, or acts of vandalism over the quarter,” the report indicated.
NERC reassured the public that it has already commenced thorough investigations into all reported incidents.
“The commission has launched investigations into every recorded accident and will implement necessary actions where deemed appropriate,” it stated.
