Electricity Accidents Claim 109 Lives Nationwide in 2025
No fewer than 192 people were either killed or injured in electricity-related incidents across Nigeria in 2025, according to data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, underscoring persistent safety failures within the industry.
A breakdown of the figures shows that 109 deaths and 83 injuries were recorded during the year under review. While this represents a modest decline from the 207 casualties documented in 2024, regulators say the numbers remain troublingly high.
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.
Distribution companies such as Eko and Kano were identified among those with the highest number of incidents in the final quarter, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities at that level of the power value chain.
Although the last quarter of 2025 showed some improvement — with fewer accidents, deaths, and injuries compared to the preceding quarter — regulators say the gains are not enough to offset broader safety concerns.
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.