THE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has launched an investigation into the deaths of 38 electricity workers who lost their lives while on duty between April and June 2025, marking one of the darkest quarters for safety in Nigeria’s power sector in recent years.
The tragic fatalities, all recorded by electricity distribution companies (DisCos), were disclosed in the Commission’s Second Quarter 2025 Report released in Abuja, obtained by News Point Nigeria.
The report paints a grim picture of declining safety performance across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), revealing a steep rise in accidents, injuries, and deaths compared to the first quarter of the year.
“Relative to 2025/Q1, the number of accidents increased from 31 to 60, the number of fatalities increased from 12 to 38, and the number of injuries increased from 14 to 19,” NERC stated in the report.
According to the Commission, none of the generation companies (GenCos) or the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) recorded any worker casualties during the period, indicating that all incidents occurred within the distribution segment of the industry.
The NERC report identified Ibadan, Kano, Benin, Eko, and Jos DisCos as the worst-performing companies in terms of safety, jointly accounting for 63 per cent of all deaths and injuries recorded in the sector during the quarter.
“Out of the 57 casualties reported in the quarter, the licensees with the highest number of casualties were Ibadan (11), Kano (10), Benin (5), Eko (5), and Jos (5) DisCos,” the report said.
This, the Commission noted, continues a disturbing trend where distribution companies have been responsible for almost all safety-related incidents in the industry over successive quarters.
According to NERC, distribution companies have consistently accounted for the majority of the industry’s safety failures.
“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/Q2, having accounted for 92.98 per cent, 93.33 per cent, and 100 per cent in 2024/Q3, 2024/Q4, and 2025/Q1, respectively,” it said.
The regulator expressed worry that despite repeated warnings and regulatory interventions, safety conditions across DisCos have not improved.
NERC stressed that it is legally empowered under Section 34(1)(e) of the Electricity Act 2023 to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of power to Nigerians. The Commission, it said, will hold operators accountable for violations of safety protocols that endanger lives.
“Pursuant to Section 34(1)(e) of the Electricity Act 2023, which mandates the Commission to ensure the provision of safe and reliable electricity, licensees are required to submit monthly health and safety reports to the Commission,” the report noted.
During the period under review, NERC confirmed that 102 out of 105 mandatory health and safety submissions were received, vowing to enforce full compliance and sanction erring licensees where necessary.
While the Transmission Company of Nigeria reported no loss of life, NERC disclosed that it suffered 11 cases of asset damage during the quarter due to explosions, fires, and vandalism.
“TCN recorded 11 cases of damage to property and infrastructure due to explosions, fire outbreaks or acts of vandalism over the quarter,” the Commission said.
NERC stated that investigations have been launched into all reported incidents, with promises of firm sanctions against operators found culpable.
“The Commission has initiated investigations into all reported accidents and will enforce appropriate actions where necessary,” it said.
The regulator added that beyond enforcement, efforts are ongoing to instill a stronger culture of safety and accountability within the sector.
“The Commission continues to closely monitor the implementation of licensees’ accident reduction strategies and organises the Health and Safety Managers’ Meeting to strengthen safety compliance across the NESI,” NERC said.