- In 2024, NERC recorded 112 deaths and 95 injuries, with a slight decrease from 2023; vandalism and wire snaps were the top causes.
- Ibadan DisCo recorded the highest casualties in Q2 and Q3, while NESCO and Yola DisCos reported no casualties in Q1 and Q2.
- NERC continues investigating safety incidents and ensuring fair compensation for victims’ families.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recorded 112 electricity-related deaths in 2024, a 2.6% decrease from 115 fatalities in 2023. Despite this decline, vandalism and wire snaps threaten public and worker safety.
NERC reported 95 injuries in 2024, a 6.9% decrease from 102 in 2023. Fatalities remained unevenly distributed throughout the year, with some quarters experiencing significant spikes. The first quarter of 2024 saw 23 deaths, a 35.3% increase from 17 deaths in 2023. Injuries surged by 93.8%, from 16 to 31.
NESCO and Yola Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) recorded no casualties in Q1 2024. Egbin Power Plant was the only generation company (GenCo) to report an accident. Eko Electricity Distribution Company led with 13 casualties in Q1 2024, accounting for 24.07% of the total. Benin DisCo followed with eight casualties, while Jos and Aba DisCos recorded six each.
Wire snaps caused six deaths and six injuries. Illegal access to electrical installations led to five deaths and two injuries. Vandalism resulted in two deaths and five injuries. Unsafe conditions contributed to 10 deaths and 12 injuries, while falls from height caused two injuries.
The second quarter saw fatalities rise by 21.4%, from 28 in 2023 to 34 in 2024. However, injuries dropped by 39.3%, from 28 to 17. Ibadan DisCo recorded the highest number of casualties in Q2, with 13 fatalities, making up 25.49% of the total. Eko DisCo followed with eight casualties. No deaths occurred in any GenCo during this period.
Illegal access topped the list of causes, leading to 11 deaths and one injury. Unsafe conditions caused 10 deaths and 14 injuries. Wire snaps caused eight fatalities and one injury. Vandalism accounted for four deaths. Falls from height resulted in two injuries.
In Q3, fatalities fell by 14.7%, from 34 in 2023 to 29 in 2024. Injuries remained steady at 28 for both years. Ibadan DisCo recorded the highest number of casualties in Q3, with 11, followed by Kaduna DisCo with 10. NESCO did not report casualties during this period.
Wire snaps caused 14 deaths and four injuries. Unsafe conditions led to six deaths and 18 injuries. Illegal access caused four fatalities and two injuries. Vandalism led to four deaths and one injury.
In Q4, both fatalities and injuries decreased. Deaths dropped by 27.8%, from 36 in 2023 to 26 in 2024. Injuries fell by 36.7%, from 30 to 19. No GenCos recorded casualties in Q4.
Vandalism caused the most fatalities in Q4, with eight deaths. Unsafe conditions led to seven deaths and 14 injuries. Wire snaps caused five fatalities and two injuries; illegal access led to three deaths and one injury.
NERC also reported property damage due to explosions, fire outbreaks, or vandalism. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) recorded 23 incidents. Ibadan and Eko DisCos reported two and one incidents, respectively.
The Commission has started investigating all reported accidents and plans to take action against responsible licensees. NERC also engages in settlement processes with victims’ families, ensuring fairness and transparency. The Commission continues to focus on improving safety measures and monitoring compliance within the sector.