Nigeria Power Sector Stakeholders Take Fresh Steps to Curb Industry Accidents
By: NaijaEnquirer Staff
Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s electricity industry have resolved to implement a stronger safety framework aimed at drastically reducing workplace accidents across the power sector.
The renewed commitment was announced in Abuja during a three-day national review session involving Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) managers from Power Generation Companies (GenCos), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and Distribution Companies (DisCos). The forum was hosted by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The biannual NESI HSE Managers’ Meeting, themed “Repositioning NESI for Accident-Free Operations: A Shared Responsibility,” brought together over 50 HSE and Performance Managers, along with Chief Technical Officers from 12 DisCos, 28 GenCos, TCN and NERC officials.
‘Accountability and Enforcement Are Critical’ — NERC
Setting the tone for the meeting, Dr. Abu Kadiri, Head of Technical Regulation Division at NERC, urged operators to abandon complacency and address the industry’s safety failings with urgency.
“If we have recorded success, it is for all of us; and if we have failed, it is for us too,” Kadiri said, stressing that a safer electricity network depends on transparent reporting, stronger discipline in the field and shared accountability.
Industry Reviews Accident Trends, Compliance Levels
The session included an in-depth assessment of accident statistics across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), focusing on significant incident reports, safety budget performance and compliance with HSE obligations.
Participants debated action plans to curb electrocution, equipment-induced accidents and hazardous field practices. The NERC warned that persistent safety lapses could derail ongoing sector reforms and further weaken public confidence in the electricity market.
Operators Pledge Stronger Safety Culture
In response, DisCos and GenCos reviewed their legal responsibilities relating to accident investigations and regulatory enforcement. Operators jointly pledged to:
- Strengthen technical supervision and monitoring
- Increase safety budgets and align them with global standards
- Expand staff training on safety protocols and risk management
- Improve PPE usage and enforce mandatory compliance
- Boost internal reporting mechanisms to eliminate concealment of incidents
Industry regulators emphasized that accident-free operations must become a foundational standard and not a mere aspiration.
Next: New Safety Directives Coming
With recurring incidents linked to weak maintenance oversight, poor PPE usage and inadequate supervision, the Abuja session is expected to inform new regulatory directives from NERC.
The revised framework is aimed at strengthening safety culture across the electricity value chain and driving the industry toward a zero-accident target.
