The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) released its first-quarter report for 2025, revealing a concerning number of electricity-related accidents across the country. The report documented 31 health and safety incidents, resulting in 12 fatalities and 14 injuries. NERC pointedly attributed these incidents to the distribution companies’ (DisCos) failure to comply with established safety guidelines. This casts a shadow over the safety practices within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement and improved safety protocols. The commission has launched investigations into each accident, underscoring its commitment to holding the responsible parties accountable and ensuring a safer electrical landscape for Nigerian citizens. The data represents a decrease in incidents, fatalities, and injuries compared to the final quarter of 2024, but the persistence of such incidents remains a significant concern.
A breakdown of the fatalities reveals a concerning distribution across the DisCos. Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) recorded the highest number of fatalities with four, followed by Jos DisCo with three. Benin and Kano DisCos each accounted for two fatalities, while Port Harcourt DisCo reported one. The report also highlighted a specific incident involving Ibadan DisCo, where an individual, Mr. Moshood Salami, lost his life due to alleged non-compliance with safety regulations in Kwara State. NERC imposed sanctions on IBEDC for this incident, reinforcing the commission’s stance on enforcing safety protocols. The varied distribution of fatalities across the DisCos suggests systemic safety issues rather than isolated incidents, necessitating a comprehensive review of safety practices across the entire industry.
The report categorizes the causes of these accidents, providing insight into the nature of the safety challenges within the NESI. Four fatalities were attributed to illegal and unauthorized access to electrical infrastructure, highlighting the risks associated with tampering with the power grid. Three fatalities resulted from unsafe acts or conditions, indicating a lack of adherence to proper safety procedures during operations or maintenance. Two deaths were linked to vandalism, underscoring the vulnerability of electrical installations to external factors. A further fatality was attributed to a fall from height, suggesting potential shortcomings in workplace safety measures. These diverse causes speak to a multifaceted problem requiring a comprehensive and nuanced approach to safety management within the NESI.
Compared to the last quarter of 2024, the first quarter of 2025 witnessed significant decreases in the number of accidents, fatalities, and injuries. Accidents decreased by 42.59%, falling from 54 to 31. Fatalities saw a substantial reduction of 53.85%, dropping from 26 to 12. Injuries also decreased by 26.32%, from 19 to 14. While these reductions are encouraging, the fact that accidents and fatalities continue to occur emphasizes the ongoing need for vigilance and improvement in safety practices. The progress made should be built upon, not treated as a sign that the issue is resolved.
The report also highlights the varying performance of different DisCos regarding safety. Notably, none of the generation companies reported any casualties during the first quarter of 2025. Among the DisCos, Aba Power, Kano, and Yola DisCos were the only ones with no reported casualties. This positive performance sets an example for other DisCos and suggests that effective safety management is achievable within the industry. Conversely, Benin, Eko, and Ibadan DisCos reported the highest number of casualties (six, five, and five respectively), accounting for a significant portion of the total. These DisCos should be subject to closer scrutiny and potentially stricter enforcement of safety regulations to address their higher incidence rates.
The report’s conclusion emphasizes NERC’s ongoing commitment to bolstering safety enforcement within the NESI. The Commission is actively investigating all reported accidents and will take appropriate action against responsible parties. Furthermore, NERC continues monitoring the implementation of accident reduction strategies by the licensees, demonstrating its proactive approach to improving safety within the electricity supply industry. The report serves as both a record of the safety challenges within the NESI and a declaration of NERC’s continued dedication to ensuring the safety of both workers and the public. The focus on investigation, enforcement, and monitoring represents a crucial step towards creating a more robust safety culture within the industry.
