The Nigerian government has convened the nation’s first-ever Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) summit, signalling a landmark step in addressing workplace safety and health challenges.
The two-day event, themed “National Occupational Safety and Health Management System,” is being held in the capital city, Abuja.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the summit’s critical role in fostering collaboration, raising awareness of workplace hazards, and promoting best practices in occupational safety and health.
Tackling OSH Challenges
In her address, Onyejeocha acknowledged the significant challenges Nigeria faces in OSH, including inadequate safety standards, limited awareness, unreported industrial accidents, and weak legislation enforcement.
“However, we are committed to changing the narrative by bringing together diverse stakeholders to promote the adoption of a safety-first mindset and encourage the development of a resilient safety and health culture in organisations and industries.
“This year, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has lined up various activities for the summit to promote a safe and healthy working environment,” she said.
She emphasised the government’s commitment to transforming workplace safety by bringing together stakeholders to cultivate a “safety-first mindset” and develop a resilient safety culture across industries.
“This summit provides an opportunity to build a comprehensive, sustainable, and inclusive national OSH management system,” she stated, underscoring the importance of addressing mental health in workplaces.
Referencing the recently marked World Mental Health Day, Onyejeocha stressed the connection between mental health and productivity, advocating for supportive work environments that prioritise employees’ well-being.
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Strategic Initiatives and Collaborations
The event features exhibitions, technical discussions, and paper presentations from safety experts. Key initiatives unveiled include the Nigeria Country Profile on OSH 2024, new regulations for construction safety, and a national emergency preparedness guide.
These efforts align with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) agenda for decent work and workplace safety.
“The International Labour Organization (ILO) promotes workplace safety and health by focusing the attention of the populace on the magnitude of work-related accidents, injuries, diseases, and deaths on the impact of workers.
“The Federal Government is consistently taking proactive steps towards achieving a safe and healthy working environment through national programmes, legislation, and collective agreements on occupational safety and health in line with the ILO agenda for decent work,” she said.
Onyejeocha commended the ILO for its support in driving the improvement of occupational safety, health, and welfare of Nigerian workers through the provision of technical and financial support for the development, ratification, and effective implementation of relevant conventions, policies, laws, and regulations, which she said ensured the continued provision of the enabling, safe, and healthy environment in Nigerian workplaces.
ILO Country Director, Ms. Vanessa Phala, presented alarming statistics from 2023, reporting over 3 million annual worker deaths globally due to occupational hazards, with 395 million non-fatal work accidents. This rise reflects a broader economic loss, amounting to nearly 4% of global GDP.
Phala urged participants to collaborate on developing strategies to create safer work environments, highlighting that proactive measures could significantly reduce workplace risks.
She commended Nigeria’s ratification of ILO conventions aimed at enhancing safety and health standards.
“Indeed, it is since 1994 that Nigeria has been engaged in this systemic management approach with the ratification of Convention 155 and the adoption of its first national OSH policy which the implementation has enabled to bring progressive changes in improving the working conditions and live quality at the different workplaces in the country,” she said.
Five-Year Strategic Plan for Health and Safety
In his remarks, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, introduced the National Occupational Health and Safety Five-Year Strategic Plan (2024–2028) launched on the 12th of November 2024 in Abuja.
The plan aims to guide the health sector in addressing work-related diseases and accidents, improving employees’ health and productivity.
Pate urged stakeholders to build on past achievements while expanding ownership of OSH initiatives at national and sub-national levels.
A Vision for the Future
The summit is expected to result in actionable commitments from organizations and stakeholders, promoting safety technologies and addressing emerging OSH challenges.
“It is expected that at the end of this summit, participating organisations, governments, and stakeholders may commit to implementing new safety measures and enhance collaboration among stakeholders to adopt cutting-edge safety technologies and innovations to address emerging challenges of occupational safety and health,” Onyejeocha said.
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