The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has released its fourth-quarter 2025 safety performance data, documenting 26 deaths across the power sector as attention intensifies on safety deficiencies within the distribution segment of the electricity supply chain.
The regulator's quarterly report shows a meaningful improvement from the preceding three-month period, with fatalities declining from 33 in Q3 to 26 in Q4 2025. Overall accidents also fell, dropping from 57 to 46 during the same interval, while injuries decreased from 33 to 17.
Distribution Segment Bears Full Responsibility
Perhaps the most significant finding in NERC's assessment is that every recorded accident and fatality occurred at the distribution level. Neither the Transmission Company of Nigeria nor any generation companies reported safety incidents during the quarter, placing the entire burden of sector casualties on distribution utilities.
The commission stated in its report: "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."
Eko and Kano Utilities Lead Fatality Rankings
Among the 11 electricity distribution companies operating across Nigeria, two utilities significantly outpaced their peers in casualty totals during Q4 2025. Out of 43 total casualties recorded—the combined sum of injuries and fatalities—Eko DisCo reported 11 casualties (25.58 per cent of the national total), while Kano DisCo recorded six casualties (13.95 per cent).
When examining fatalities specifically, the breakdown reveals Eko DisCo recorded eight deaths, the highest single-company figure. Kano followed with four fatalities. Kaduna and Ikeja distribution companies each reported two deaths, while Ibadan, Benin, Jos, Enugu, Aba Power, and Abuja each recorded one fatality apiece.
Root Causes: Unsafe Acts and Conditions Persist
Analysis of the accident causes identifies unsafe acts and conditions as the primary driver of fatalities, responsible for more than half of all deaths. This category alone accounted for 14 of the 26 fatalities recorded during the quarter.
Breaking down additional contributing factors: wire snaps caused six deaths, illegal or unauthorised access to electrical infrastructure led to five fatalities, and vandalism resulted in one death. The commission noted that investigations into all reported accidents remain ongoing, with enforcement actions to follow where appropriate.
Infrastructure damage also continued during the period, with TCN recording 10 cases of damage to property and infrastructure resulting from explosions, fire outbreaks, or vandalism acts.
Regulatory Response and Compensation Oversight
NERC indicated it has initiated comprehensive investigations into all reported accidents and will enforce appropriate regulatory actions against licensees found to have violated safety standards. Beyond enforcement, the commission reported it continues to oversee compensation discussions between operators and families of accident victims.
The regulator explained it maintains biannual Health and Safety Manager's Meetings with licensee representatives, during which compliance scorecards are reviewed and improvement areas are identified. This forum serves to reinforce reporting obligations and address emerging safety concerns across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.