The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas has called for more safety for Nigerian workers.
Speaker Abbas who made the call at the World Day for Safety Conference, Nigeria 2025, held in Abuja, the nation’s capital, said that some workers have been injured or died in the workplace due to lack of safety standards adding that there is also the issue of the death of statistics about the safety of workers.
” In Nigeria, data on the workplace injuries and fatalities suffered by Nigerians may not be reliable because of a lack of comprehensive documentation. What many regard as data are reports from some organisations with high risk exposure, like the petroleum and mining sectors. Even at that, the data is neither comprehensive nor reliable. The last time such data was recorded was between 1994 and 2001. An online report quoting from the ILO source only showed that the most recent fatalities were 238 fatalities and 3461 injuries in the construction industry between 2014 and 2016. However, a recent study of health sector injuries conducted at the Federal Medical Center in Asaba, showed that out of 167 health workers, comprising 7 doctors, 100 nurses and 20 laboratory workers, a total of 88, about 52.7 percent reported experiencing needle pricks while 89, representing 53.3 percent reported blood splash incidents. While this may not seem to constitute a serious workplace injury, the enormity of the hazard health workers faces come to reality in the face of outbreaks like Ebola, COVID 19, and HIV, and other such transmissible. Recall that Dr. Amevo Adadevoh, OON, and Justina Ejelonu, a nurse, lost their lives in August 2014 after contact with an Ebola patient whom they prevented from leaving the hospital.
“Also, many construction workers have become victims of workplace injuries, both fatal and non-fatal. in some cases, some workers have become permanently disfigured from injuries sustained at the workplace.
“The causes of workplace injuries in construction sites have been linked to unsafe acts and unsafe working conditions, Including a@ lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), rain gear, hoisting equipment, appropriate scaffolds, and ladder protections. These, among many others, expose workers to hazards and accidents”. He said.
The Speaker also said that the House of Representatives is poised to make laws that will safeguard workers.
“Today’s event is very significant, especially in the lives of workers across the globe. It reminds us of the need to guarantee the safety of workers against occupational hazards and fatalities. In societies where life is not given the right premium and consideration, workers are exposed to various occupational accidents and dangers. Today reminds us to look inwards and remember that every worker has a right to be protected. Your choice of topic for this conference is a call to action. For those of us in the Parliament, we owe Nigerian workers the obligation to protect and ensure their safety at the workplace through appropriate legislation. In our oversight functions, we must ensure that extant laws are respected. Perhaps that is the reason this theme is tied to the legislative perspective of safety and the future”. Mr. Abbas said.
He noted that the conference provided stakeholders an opportunity to come up with concerns that affect the safety of Nigerian workers.
Mr. Abbas also called on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to commence the documentation of workers affected by work place accidents for proper data analysis.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Muhammed Dingyadi pointed out that bureaucratic processes have hindered the comprehensive review of labour laws in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed that the journey towards a safer and healthier workplace in Nigeria, demands all hands to be on deck.
“Together, let us rice to the challenge of building a resilient safety culture, underpinnined by innovation, inclusivity and a shared commitment to protecting the lives of all Nigerian workers”. Mr. Dingyadi said.
For his part, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Mr. David Zacharias, said that the first-ever, World Day for Safety Conference in Nigeria organised by the National Assembly Today marks a historic moment Nigeria’s journey towards building a safer more resilient society.
“This conference is a reflection of the growing recognition of the importance of safety in every sphere of our lives—from our homes, to our workplaces, and on the roads. Today, we embark on an important journey that will help us build a culture of safety that is long Overdue in our country”.
He said that the World Day for Safety is celebrated globally as a call to action—an opportunity for communities, businesses, and governments to reflect on the state of safety and to create pathways for improvement.
In her keynote address, the Country Director of the International Labour Organisation, Dr. Vanessa Phala, urged the Nigerian government to invest in a robust data system, ensure transparency, accessibility and evidence-based policy making process.
She also advised the government to ensure adequate compensation to workers when harm occurs.
Other stakeholders also commended the House of Representatives for hosting such a remarkable occasion for the good of Nigerian workers.
The theme of the day was “The Legislative Perspective: Safety First, Building a Safer Future for All Nigerians.”
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