By Bimbola Oyesola, [email protected]
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has tasked stakeholders to collaborate in developing and implementing sustainable, technology-driven strategies that will mitigate risks associated with AI and digitalization.
Speaking at the World Day For Safety and Health 2025, theme: ‘Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization’, the Regional Manager, Mainland, Mrs Agboma Okoroafor said governments, employers, and workers must invest in robust risk assessment and management strategies for emerging technologies.
“At the NSITF, we recognize that navigating the digital transformation of workplace safety is not just about deploying technology, it requires a human-centred approach,” she said.
“We are actively developing strategies that integrate human judgment and action with digital systems to create safer, more efficient working environments.”
She noted that the advantages of AI and digitalization in OSH are substantial.
Okoroafor said the use of robotics and AI now perform hazardous or repetitive tasks, minimizing human exposure to confined spaces, heights, and dangerous substances.
She noted that since its establishment, NSITF has disbursed billions of Naira in compensation for workplace injuries, diseases, and fatalities, while leading extensive OSH awareness campaigns that have contributed significantly to reducing workplace incidents across Nigeria.
Mainland Branch Manager of NSITF, Mrs Abimlola Yakubu said health and safety have always been at the core of productive work environments, adding that traditional systems are often reactive, compliance-driven and slow to adapt.
“We are entering a new era now, where data is not just collected- it’s interpreted, predicted and acted upon in real time, she said adding that “this transformation is being driven by Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies.”
She added that NSITF being the body which encompasses the functions of compensations to employees who suffer work- related injuries, disabilities or death and also the mandate of prevention of accidents at workplace, has in so many instances stated unequivocally that the prevention of injury at workplace through robust occupational safety and health programs is and has been the first step in the processes of employees compensation.
“This has been practicable through effective Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) audit/Inspection, OSH Enlightenment/advocacy and accident investigations carried out by our correspondents at workplaces to bridge- in non-conformity to safety,” she said.