Q1 operations of electricity distribution companies linked to fatalities and injuries — NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has raised significant concerns over the operational safety of electricity distribution companies (DisCos), revealing in its latest report that the entirety of deaths and injuries within Nigeria’s power sector during the first quarter of 2025 were attributed solely to the DisCos. This revelation has reignited debates about safety lapses, infrastructure failures, and the urgent need for stricter regulatory enforcement in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

According to the NERC’s Q1 2025 report, the power sector recorded a total of 31 accident cases within the three-month period, leading to 12 deaths and 14 injuries. While this reflects a reduction in accidents compared to the 54 cases reported in the last quarter of 2024, and a fall in fatalities from 26 to 12, the regulatory body expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that all casualties originated from distribution operations.

The commission noted that despite improvements in safety performance metrics across the transmission and generation sub-sectors, the DisCos continued to fall short of minimum safety expectations. The trend has been consistent, as DisCos had also accounted for 100 percent of reported deaths in previous quarters.

Breaking down the figures, the report listed several DisCos that recorded high accident rates. Benin, Eko, and Ibadan DisCos jointly accounted for a majority of the cases, highlighting persistent safety issues in these zones. Enugu DisCo was responsible for the highest number of fatalities in a single quarter, with four lives lost. Other fatalities were linked to operations by Jos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan DisCos.

NERC identified recurring causes of these incidents, including electrical contact from snapped conductors, poor maintenance, vandalism, unauthorized access to power installations, unsafe work environments, and falls from heights. These factors, according to the commission, indicate a systemic disregard for established safety procedures and poor adherence to regulatory guidelines.

The safety performance by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and generation companies, in contrast, was notably better, as there were no recorded fatalities or injuries in those sectors. However, TCN still reported eight infrastructure incidents involving fire outbreaks, sabotage, and other operational disruptions.

In light of these findings, the commission has initiated investigations into all the reported incidents involving the DisCos and has pledged to intensify its monitoring and enforcement activities. NERC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that DisCos comply with operational safety standards, and that those found wanting will face appropriate disciplinary measures.

As part of its ongoing oversight mechanism, NERC continues to hold biannual health and safety forums with all licensees. These forums are platforms to review safety statistics, discuss best practices, and outline performance expectations. The report emphasized that while progress had been made in creating a culture of safety awareness among stakeholders, enforcement and accountability gaps remain prominent.

The report also indicated that compensation mechanisms were activated in at least two cases involving casualties. These involved negotiations between the affected families and the respective distribution companies, facilitated and supervised by NERC to ensure fairness and transparency in the settlement process. The regulator stressed that it would continue to protect consumers and industry personnel through proactive intervention and enforcement actions.

Public reaction to the report has been mixed. While some industry observers acknowledged the reduction in the number of accidents as a step in the right direction, many criticized the DisCos for their recurring lapses. Consumer advocacy groups have expressed dismay that despite repeated warnings and regulatory actions, safety compliance among DisCos remains inconsistent. According to them, the loss of even one life due to preventable causes such as poor maintenance or illegal connections should be unacceptable in a modern utility system.

Several analysts believe the persistent casualties point to deeper structural issues, including underinvestment in distribution infrastructure, inadequate training of field staff, poor customer education, and insufficient enforcement by regulators. They argue that unless systemic reforms are implemented, such as tougher licensing conditions, increased funding for network upgrades, and transparent safety audits, the risk to lives will persist.

In response to the criticism, some DisCos have announced their intentions to step up safety awareness campaigns, improve staff training, and invest in infrastructure upgrades. However, stakeholders remain skeptical about the actual implementation of these promises, especially in the absence of strict timelines and independent performance tracking.

As Nigeria continues to push for reforms in its power sector, safety performance will remain a crucial benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of regulatory oversight and the commitment of operators to public welfare. The figures released by NERC serve not only as a scorecard but also as a call to action. Unless distribution companies make deliberate efforts to change the status quo, and the regulatory body backs its words with real consequences, the same tragic outcomes may continue to plague the sector.

For now, the Nigerian public waits to see whether the figures in the next quarter’s report will reflect a meaningful shift—or a continuation of a troubling pattern.