Nigeria’s electricity industry continues to grapple with serious safety concerns, with no fewer than 192 people either killed or injured in power-related incidents in 2025.

Data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission shows that while there was a modest decline in overall casualties compared to the previous year, the numbers remain troublingly high.

A breakdown of the figures reveals that 109 deaths and 83 injuries were recorded in 2025, bringing total casualties to 192. This marks a slight drop from 207 cases reported in 2024, but the improvement has done little to ease concerns about persistent risks within the sector.

The report indicates that safety challenges are particularly pronounced in the electricity distribution segment, which accounted for all recorded accidents throughout the year.

None of the incidents were linked to power generation companies or the Transmission Company of Nigeria during the period under review.

Although the final quarter of 2025 showed some improvement — with fewer accidents, deaths, and injuries compared to the previous quarter — regulators say the gains are not enough to offset the broader safety issues.

Distribution companies such as Eko and Kano were identified among those with the highest number of incidents in the last quarter, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities at that level of the power value chain.

According to the Commission, unsafe practices and poor working conditions remain the leading causes of accidents. Other contributing factors include fallen power lines, illegal electricity connections, and acts of vandalism — all of which continue to pose risks to both workers and the general public.

The regulator also flagged concerns about ageing infrastructure and weak maintenance practices, noting that these issues significantly increase the likelihood of accidents, particularly within densely populated areas.

Beyond human casualties, infrastructure damage remains a recurring problem. The Transmission Company of Nigeria recorded multiple cases of damage linked to explosions, fires, and vandalism within the same period, raising fresh concerns about the resilience of critical power assets.

The Commission, citing provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, said it has intensified enforcement measures and is pushing for stricter compliance among operators. It added that electricity providers are required to submit regular health and safety reports, with sanctions in place for non-compliance.

Despite ongoing regulatory efforts and stakeholder engagements, the data underscores a lingering reality: Nigeria’s power sector still faces deep-rooted safety challenges that demand urgent and sustained intervention. (The Guardian)

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