No fewer than 192 electricity workers and third parties were killed or injured in power-related incidents across Nigeria in 2025, despite a marginal improvement in safety performance in the fourth quarter, findings by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission have shown.
The figure comprises 149 casualties recorded between the first and third quarters and an additional 43 casualties documented in the fourth quarter, reflecting persistent safety challenges in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
According to an analysis of the latest industry report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission obtained by our correspondent on Monday, 112 Nigerians lost their lives in electricity-related incidents in 2024, slightly lower than the 115 deaths recorded in 2023 but still alarmingly high, while injuries stood at 95 for the same period, underscoring persistent hazards in the industry.
A comparative analysis of safety data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission shows a worsening casualty trend in Nigeria’s power sector between 2023 and 2025, despite slight improvements in some indicators.
In 2024, a total of 207 casualties were recorded, comprising 112 fatalities and 95 injuries. This represents an increase compared to 2023, when fatalities alone stood at 115, although injury data for that year were not specified.
By 2025, total casualties stood at 192, made up of 109 fatalities and 83 injuries based on aggregated quarterly data, indicating a marginal decline compared to 2024.
A breakdown of the figures shows that fatalities dropped from 115 in 2023 to 112 in 2024, reflecting a decrease of three deaths, or about 2.6 per cent. Between 2024 and 2025, fatalities declined further from 112 to 109, a reduction of three deaths, or approximately 2.7 per cent.
However, total casualties tell a slightly different story. From 207 in 2024 to 192 in 2025, the sector recorded a drop of 15 cases, representing a 7.2 per cent decrease year-on-year, suggesting some improvement in overall safety outcomes.
Despite this, the broader trend indicates that casualty levels remain significantly high. With 192 casualties in 2025 compared to at least 115 confirmed deaths in 2023, the data suggests that while fatalities are gradually declining, the combined burden of deaths and injuries continues to pose serious safety concerns.
The latest industry report revealed that while the number of accidents declined in the last quarter of the year, the sector continues to grapple with significant risks, particularly within the electricity distribution segment.
The report stated that in the fourth quarter of 2025, “the number of accidents decreased from 57 in Q3 to 46, while fatalities dropped from 33 to 26 and injuries declined from 33 to 17.”
It added, “the total number of casualties (fatalities and injuries) recorded in 2025/Q4 stood at forty-three (43), representing a reduction compared to sixty-six (66) recorded in 2025/Q3.”
Despite the improvement, the regulator expressed concern that all recorded accidents in the quarter occurred at the distribution level, with none reported by the Transmission Company of Nigeria or power generation companies.
According to the Commission, “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.”
Further breakdown showed that Eko and Kano distribution companies recorded the highest number of casualties in the fourth quarter, accounting for 11 and six cases respectively.
The report noted, “Although all DisCos, except Yola, recorded casualties, the licensees with the highest number of casualties out of the total forty-three (43) recorded during the quarter are Eko (11) and Kano (6), representing 25.58% and 13.95% of the total, respectively. This quarter continues the trend of the distribution sub-segment being the biggest driver of safety accidents in the sector; DisCos accounted for 100% of casualties recorded in 2025/Q1, 2025/Q2, and 2025/Q3, respectively.”
On the causes of accidents, the Commission identified unsafe acts and conditions as the leading factor, accounting for 14 fatalities and eight injuries. Other causes included wire snaps, illegal connections, and acts of vandalism.
It stated, “unsafe acts/conditions accounted for the highest number of casualties, followed by wire snaps and illegal or unauthorised access to electricity infrastructure, underscoring the need for stricter adherence to safety protocols and public awareness.”
The report also disclosed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria recorded 10 cases of damage to infrastructure arising from explosions, fire outbreaks, and vandalism during the period under review.
Providing regulatory context, the Commission said its oversight function is backed by the Electricity Act 2023, which mandates it to ensure a safe and reliable electricity supply.
The regulator added that it had intensified enforcement of compliance, noting that it expects 100 per cent reporting adherence from all licensees and would apply sanctions where necessary.
“Health and Safety Pursuant to Section 34(1)(e) of the EA 2023, which mandates the Commission to ‘ensure the provision of safe and reliable electricity to consumers’, the Commission monitors the health and safety performance of the NESI. Licensees are mandated to submit monthly Health and Safety reports to the Commission in accordance with the requirements of their licence. In 2025/Q4, out of the 102 mandatory health and safety reports expected to be received from licensees, 97 reports were received.
“The Commission will continue to enforce 100% reporting compliance by licensees as contained in the terms and conditions of their respective licences and apply sanctions where applicable. Relative to 2025/Q3, the number of accidents decreased from 57 to 46, the number of fatalities decreased from 33 to 26, and the number of injuries also decreased from 33 to 17,” it said.
The regulator further identified unsafe acts and poor operating conditions as the leading cause of electricity-related casualties in the fourth quarter of 2025, underscoring persistent lapses in safety compliance across the sector.
According to the Commission, “unsafe acts and conditions accounted for the highest number of casualties during the quarter, with fourteen (14) fatalities and eight (8) injuries recorded,” highlighting what it described as a critical area requiring urgent intervention by operators and regulators.
The report further noted that incidents linked to wire snaps also contributed significantly to the casualty figures. “Wire snaps resulted in six (6) fatalities and five (5) injuries, reflecting the dangers posed by ageing infrastructure and weak maintenance practices across distribution networks,” it stated.
On illegal electricity usage, the Commission disclosed that unauthorised access to power installations remained a major risk factor. It said, “illegal or unauthorised access accounted for five (5) fatalities and one (1) injury during the period, indicating the continued threat posed by unsafe connections and public interference with electricity assets.”
Cases of vandalism were also recorded, albeit at lower levels. “Vandalism led to one (1) fatality and two (2) injuries, further demonstrating the safety and security risks associated with deliberate damage to electricity infrastructure,” the report added.
The commission noted that other miscellaneous causes accounted for one injury, with no fatality recorded under that category, bringing the total casualty figure for the quarter to 26 deaths and 17 injuries.
Meanwhile, the report disclosed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria recorded ten incidents of damage to power infrastructure within the same period.
It stated, “during 2025/Q4, TCN recorded 10 cases of damage to property and infrastructure arising from explosions, fire outbreaks, or acts of vandalism,” raising concerns over the growing vulnerability of critical power assets to both operational failures and external threats.
It also highlighted ongoing interventions, including regular health and safety managers’ meetings and oversight of compensation processes for victims’ families.
“In addition, the commission oversees settlement processes between licensees and families of accident victims to ensure transparency and fair compensation. In 2025/Q4, the commission oversaw the successful conclusion of ten compensation negotiations,” the report noted.
Nigeria’s power sector has long struggled with safety concerns, particularly at the distribution level, where ageing infrastructure, illegal connections, and weak enforcement of safety standards have contributed to frequent accidents.
Although regulatory efforts and stakeholder engagements have intensified in recent years, industry data continues to show that electricity-related incidents remain a major risk to workers and the public.
The latest figures suggest that while incremental improvements are being recorded, especially in accident reduction, systemic issues within the distribution network still pose a significant threat to safety across the sector.
