Electricity distribution companies recorded all power sector accidents in the fourth quarter of 2025, with Eko and Kano topping the fatality chart as 26 persons lost their lives, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The commission expressed concerns that deaths are being recorded at the distribution segment of the value chain, though it disclosed that fatalities dropped from 33 in the third quarter to 26 in the period under review, while accidents declined from 57 to 46 and injuries fell from 33 to 17.

Providing a breakdown, the regulator stated that during the fourth quarter of 2025, all the accidents occurred at the distribution level, as neither the Transmission Company of Nigeria nor any of the generation companies recorded safety accidents.

It added that although nearly all distribution companies recorded casualties, two utilities accounted for the highest number of deaths.

According to the report, “The licensees with the highest number of casualties out of the total 43 recorded during the quarter are Eko (11) and Kano (6), representing 25.58 per cent and 13.95 per cent of the total, respectively.”

Casualties refer to the combined number of injuries and deaths.

Further analysis of the NERC data showed that Eko DisCo recorded the highest number of fatalities at eight, followed by Kano with four, while Kaduna and Ikeja reported two deaths each. Ibadan, Benin, Jos, Enugu, Aba Power and Abuja recorded one fatality each.

The commission noted that the distribution segment has remained the major driver of safety incidents in the Nigerian electricity supply industry. It stated, “This quarter continues the trend of the distribution sub-segment being the biggest driver of safety accidents in the sector; DisCos accounted for 100 per cent of casualties recorded in 2025/Q1, 2025/Q2 and 2025/Q3, respectively.”

On the causes of deaths, the report showed that unsafe acts and conditions were responsible for more than half of the fatalities, accounting for 14 deaths. Wire snaps caused six deaths; illegal or unauthorised access led to five fatalities, while vandalism resulted in one death.

The regulator also disclosed that damage to electricity infrastructure persisted during the period. “During 2025/Q4, TCN recorded 10 cases of damage to property/infrastructure due to explosions, fire outbreaks or acts of vandalism,” the commission stated.

It added that investigations into the accidents were ongoing, noting that it has initiated probes into all reported accidents and will enforce appropriate actions where necessary.

The commission further explained that it continued to oversee compensation discussions between operators and affected families. “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 commission also organises various programmes, including the Health and Safety Manager’s Meeting, aimed at improving the health and safety performance of the NESI.

“The biannual health and safety manager’s meetings organised by the commission with health and safety officers of licensees are aimed at discussing the reporting obligations of licensees as well as health and safety matters. During the meetings, licensees’ scorecards on compliance with health and safety standards are discussed while highlighting areas of improvement. The commission shall continue to ensure that all licensees comply with the subsisting performance standards in the NESI.

“In addition, the commission oversees settlement processes between licensees and families of accident victims in the NESI. This is to ensure transparency of the settlement process and to help the victim’s family secure fair compensation for losses suffered. In 2025/Q4, the commission oversaw the successful conclusion of 10 compensation negotiations between licensees and families of accident victims,” the report read.

Despite the decline in fatalities, the data indicate that safety risks remain concentrated at the electricity distribution level, with unsafe handling of power infrastructure and falling wires emerging as the leading causes of deaths across the country.