From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has said that the country is facing serious issues in Occupational Safety and Health.
According to Onyejeocha, these issues include insufficient safety standards, a lack of awareness and training, unreported industrial accidents, occupational diseases, and inadequate legislation and policy enforcement.
She however, promised that the ministry is dedicated to transforming this situation by collaborating with various stakeholders to foster a safety-first mindset and to promote the establishment of a robust safety and health culture within organisations and industries.
The Minister spoke at the maiden Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Summit held Tuesday in Abuja.
She said: “Currently, Nigeria faces significant challenges in Occupational Safety and Health, ranging from inadequate safety standards to limited awareness creation and training, unreported industrial accidents, occupational diseases, weak legislation, and policy 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.
The Ministry, according to the Onyejeocha, has rolled out various initiatives to promote workplace safety and health. These include exhibitions, paper presentations, and discussions aimed at addressing emerging workplace risks and sharing innovative solutions.
The ultimate goal, she said, is to establish a comprehensive National OSH management system that is effective, efficient, sustainable, and inclusive.
Onyejeocha also emphasised the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace.
“It is also worthy of note that mental health issues in the workplace must be addressed. The campaign on the just-concluded World Mental Health Day held on the 10th of October 2024, with the theme: “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,”highlights the vital connection between mental health and work and emphasises the need for a safe and healthy working environment to protect and support the mental well-being of workers.
“A supportive work environment fosters mental health, purpose, and stability. Thus, by prioritizing mental health in the workplace, employers and employees have the opportunity to thrive at work and in life,” she added.
Acknowledging the support of the International Labour Organisaion (ILO), the minister credited the body with providing technical and financial support for improving Occupational Safety and Health in Nigeria.
“The ILO has been instrumental in driving the improvement of workers’ welfare through the development, ratification, and effective implementation of relevant conventions, policies, laws, and regulations,” she said. She said the summit also marked the unveiling of key regulatory initiatives designed to strengthen workplace safety in Nigeria, including Nigeria Country Profile on OSH 2024, Construction and Allied Works (Safety) Regulation 2024 and Factories (Registration, etc., Fees Amendment) Regulation 2024, as well as the National Workplace Emergency Preparedness and Response Guide.
Onyejeocha called on stakeholders, including employers, workers, regulators, and researchers, to leverage these regulations as a foundation for collaboration, identifying risks, and designing effective strategies to ensure safer workplaces.