The Federal Government has pledged to to protect the nation’s workforce from hazards and risks associated with their jobs.
The government said it said would implement policies and practices that prioritise workers’ safety, health, and well-being.
Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Nyamali John stated this during the maiden Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Summit in Abuja yesterday.
He said: “As we all know, Nigeria is experiencing rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, and expansion across multiple sectors. However, with this growth comes the responsibility to protect our workforce from hazards and risks associated with their jobs.
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“The statistics surrounding workplace accidents, injuries, and occupational diseases remind us of the urgency of this task. We must implement policies and practices that prioritize our workers’ safety, health, and well-being. This summit is the beginning of a collaborative journey towards creating safe and healthy working environments for all Nigerians.
“Our vision is clear: to create a Nigeria where every worker returns home safely at the end of each day, where occupational hazards are minimised, and where workplace wellness is integrated into the national consciousness. The solutions we seek will require cooperation, innovation, and a steadfast commitment from all of us-employers, employees, regulators, and policymakers.”
John said the summit was designed to foster dialogue and collaboration that would shape the nation’s future of workplace safety.
Country Director of the International Labour Organisation, Vanessa Phala said that globally, more than 3 million workers die each year due to occupational accidents and diseases, with more than 395 million non-fatal work accidents.
Phala commended the federal government for ratifying Conventions C155 (on occupational safety and health) and C187 (on the promotional framework for OSH) which have become the fundamental conventions.
“Despite the efforts already made, the work on occupational safety and health remains immense, hence the need to strengthen the mobilization of all OHS stakeholders in promotion and advocacy initiatives like this maiden national summit on OSH in Nigeria,” she said.