No fewer than 17 persons died in electricity-related accidents across Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies in the first quarter of 2026, even as the industry recorded an overall decline in safety incidents compared to the preceding quarter.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission disclosed this in its First Quarter 2026 report, which showed that the fatalities occurred in 24 reportable accidents that also left 13 persons injured, bringing the total number of casualties recorded during the quarter to 30.

The report stated that all the accidents during the period occurred within the distribution segment and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, while the country’s electricity generation companies recorded no reportable safety incidents.

“During the quarter (2026/Q1), all the accidents occurred at the distribution and transmission level, and none of the GenCos recorded safety accidents,” NERC said, adding that the 24 accidents represented a significant improvement from the 46 incidents recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Similarly, fatalities dropped from 26 in the preceding quarter to 17 in the first quarter of 2026, while injuries declined from 24 to 13 over the same period. An analysis of the report showed that wire snaps and unsafe acts or conditions were the leading causes of the fatalities, accounting for five deaths each.

The commission attributed three deaths to vandalism, while illegal or unauthorised access to electricity infrastructure resulted in two fatalities.

Two other deaths were classified under other causes.

The report also showed that unsafe acts or conditions accounted for the highest number of reportable accidents during the quarter, with six incidents, followed by wire snaps with five incidents.

Other recorded causes included vandalism, falls from height, acts of nature, illegal or unauthorised access, and other operational occurrences. Although casualties were recorded by all electricity distribution companies except Yola Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja and Kaduna distribution companies accounted for more than half of the total casualties during the quarter, according to NERC.

“Although all DisCos, except Yola, recorded casualties, the licensees with the highest number of casualties out of the total 30 recorded during the quarter are Ikeja (10) and Kaduna (7), representing 33.33 per cent and 23.33 per cent of the total, respectively,” NERC said.

The regulator explained that electricity licensees are required to report all accidents occurring in the course of their operations in line with existing industry regulations.

It stated, “Pursuant to the provisions of the Nigerian Electricity Supply and Installation Standards Regulations 2023 and the Health and Safety Code 2024, all licensees are required to report accidents that occur in the course of carrying out licensed activities.”

The report further disclosed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria recorded three cases of damage to electricity infrastructure during the quarter arising from explosions, fire outbreaks, and acts of vandalism.

“During 2026/Q1, TCN recorded three cases of damage to property/infrastructure due to explosions, fire outbreaks or acts of vandalism,” it stated.

NERC said it had commenced investigations into all the reported accidents and would take regulatory action where necessary to improve safety across the Nigerian electricity supply industry.

“The commission has initiated investigations into all reported accidents and will enforce appropriate actions where necessary. Furthermore, the commission continues to closely monitor the implementation of licensees’ accident reduction strategies for the NESI,” the report added.

The regulator stated that it continues to organise biannual health and safety managers’ meetings with safety officers of electricity licensees to strengthen compliance with industry safety standards.

“The biannual health and safety managers’ meetings organised by the commission with health and safety officers of licensees are aimed at discussing the reporting obligations of licensees as well as health and safety matters.

“During the meetings, licensees’ scorecards on compliance with health and safety standards are discussed while highlighting areas of improvement. The commission shall continue to ensure that all licensees comply with the subsisting performance standards in the NESI,” the report said.

NERC also stated that it oversees compensation settlement processes between electricity licensees and families of accident victims to ensure transparency and fair compensation. However, it noted that no such settlement was conducted during the first quarter of 2026.

“In addition, the commission oversees settlement processes between licensees and families of accident victims in the NESI. This is to ensure transparency of the settlement process and to help the victim’s family secure fair compensation for losses suffered. The commission did not oversee any settlement process during the quarter,” it was stated.