The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has raised concern over the continued rise in electricity-related accidents and fatalities in the power sector, attributing most incidents to human error caused by poor technical skills and inadequate training.
The warning was issued on Thursday at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on improving vocational training delivery for the power sector, organised by the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN). The event, themed “Building Skilled Manpower for a Sustainable Power Sector,” was held in collaboration with Explicit Communications Limited and funded by the French Development Agency and the European Union.
Electricity-related accidents remain a major challenge in Nigeria, with frequent reports of electrocution involving fallen distribution lines, illegal connections, faulty installations and unsafe maintenance practices. Technicians, linemen and members of the public are often affected during repairs, meter installations or due to exposed cables and weak safety enforcement.
According to NERC safety performance reports, 112 deaths were recorded in electricity-related incidents in 2024, slightly lower than the 115 deaths reported in 2023. Injuries stood at 95 during the same period. Between the first and third quarters of 2025, a total of 149 electricity personnel were killed or injured, triggering regulatory investigations and renewed calls for stricter safety oversight.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission, Joseph John said investments in power infrastructure would be wasted without a corresponding focus on developing skilled manpower to operate and maintain the assets.
“You can invest heavily in infrastructure, but without the right skills and manpower to manage it efficiently, that investment will amount to a waste,” John said, assuring stakeholders of NERC’s support for NAPTIN in fulfilling its mandate.
He stressed that while efforts were ongoing to expand generation capacity and stabilise the power system, human capacity remained central to delivering reliable electricity supply. John also identified the shortage of skilled technicians as a major obstacle to closing Nigeria’s metering gap.
“We expect a large number of meters to come into the country, but meters will not install themselves. Skilled people are needed, and that is where the skills gap becomes critical,” he noted.
John added that many electricity accidents across the value chain were linked to poorly trained operators and maintenance personnel, warning that such lapses often led to fatal outcomes. He emphasised the need for appropriate and continuous training to reduce accidents and improve sector efficiency.
Labour unions in recent years have similarly blamed inadequate training, weak safety culture and pressure to restore power quickly for the rising number of fatalities, while regulators continue to push for stronger capacity building and compliance with safety standards.
Earlier, NAPTIN Director-General, Ahmed Nagode, said the engagement was designed to reconnect training programmes with the actual workforce needs of the electricity industry. He explained that the institute had undergone institutional renewal, including improved infrastructure, expanded training offerings and closer alignment with industry realities.
Nagode acknowledged the European Union and the French Development Agency for supporting capacity-building initiatives under the Enhanced Electricity and Trade Agreement, noting that the funding had strengthened training delivery and stakeholder engagement.
Also speaking, the Chief Human Resources Officer of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Adeniyi Adejola, said NAPTIN delivered about 40 per cent of AEDC’s skilled technical training in 2025, contributing significantly to workforce development. He added that ongoing reforms within distribution companies and stronger partnerships with NAPTIN were key to improving electricity supply, job creation and economic growth.
Representatives from the Nigerian Independent System Operator, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, the Licensed Electricity Contractors Association of Nigeria, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Board for Technical Education also underscored the importance of sustained technical training and certification in improving safety, efficiency and reliability across the power sector.
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