The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has released its Q3 2025 report, highlighting a concerning trend of power-related accidents across the country. According to the report, 33 people lost their lives and 33 others sustained injuries in accidents related to electricity during the quarter. A total of 57 power-related accidents were reported, with the Ikeja and Kano electricity distribution areas recording the highest number of incidents, at 10 each.
The accidents were largely attributed to unsafe acts and hazardous conditions, which accounted for the highest number of injuries and fatalities. Wire snaps emerged as one of the deadliest hazards, resulting in 10 fatalities and seven injuries. Additionally, unsafe practices or conditions led to 10 deaths and 18 injuries, highlighting the need for improved safety culture and enforcement of operational standards.
Illegal or unauthorized access to electricity installations and vandalism also contributed to the casualty figures, resulting in two fatalities and three injuries, and two deaths, respectively. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) recorded four cases of damage to property and infrastructure due to explosions, fire outbreaks, or acts of vandalism.
In response to the reported accidents, NERC initiated investigations and signaled its intention to enforce appropriate actions where necessary. The regulator also organized periodic health and safety managers’ meetings to review incident reports, share lessons learned, and identify areas requiring improvement. Furthermore, NERC supervised the successful conclusion of two compensation negotiations between electricity companies and families of victims.
Compared to the previous quarter, the number of accidents decreased from 60 to 57, and the number of fatalities decreased from 38 to 33. However, the number of injuries increased from 19 to 33. The report emphasizes that the distribution sub-segment remains the biggest driver of safety accidents in the sector, accounting for 93.33% of total accidents in 2024/Q4, 100% in 2025/Q1, and 100% in 2025/Q2.
The NERC report underscores the need for continued efforts to improve safety performance across the electricity industry. As the regulator moves forward, it is likely to focus on enforcing safety standards, promoting a safety culture, and addressing the root causes of accidents to minimize the risk of power-related incidents.
