Power sector workplace deaths drop 37% in Q1 – NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says workplace fatalities in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) fell by 37 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting improved safety performance across the power sector.

According to the commission, fatalities dropped from 27 in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 17 in the first quarter of 2026, while workplace injuries declined from 18 to 13 over the same period.

NERC disclosed this in a report presented by its Technical Regulation Division during the First 2026 Bi-Annual Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Managers’ Meeting.

The report also showed that incident notifications fell from 48 to 28, representing a 41.7 per cent reduction in major safety incidents.

The commission stressed that every incident represents a human life and reaffirmed its commitment to achieving “Operation Zero”, an industry-wide initiative aimed at eliminating workplace fatalities and serious accidents in the power sector.

According to NERC, the meeting, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), brought together Health, Safety and Environment managers from electricity generation companies (GenCos), distribution companies (DisCos), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs).

Participants reviewed the industry’s safety performance for the first quarter of 2026 and agreed on measures to strengthen compliance with health and safety standards while reducing operational risks.

As part of the resolutions reached, NERC directed electricity licensees to fully comply with the revised NESI Health and Safety Code, establish dedicated Health, Safety and Environment Management Committees, improve HSE reporting and audit processes, and implement all outstanding resolutions from the November 2025 Bi-Annual HSE Managers’ Meeting.

The commission said the measures are aimed at sustaining improvements in workplace safety and protecting workers across Nigeria’s electricity value chain.