Unsafe workplaces are a silent threat to Nigeria's workforce, economy, and future. The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), the Federal Government, and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) are sounding the alarm, warning that unsafe working conditions are not just claiming lives but also eroding jobs, productivity, and the country's economic prospects. This message was echoed at the Safe Workplace Intervention Project (SWIP) yearly stakeholders' interactive enlightenment forum and awards ceremony, themed 'Enhancing Workplace Safety, Strengthening Compliance, Celebrating Excellence'.
The Managing Director of NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, urged employers to be proactive in complying with workplace safety regulations, emphasizing that the future of work in Nigeria depends on the decisions made today. Faleye stated, 'The future of work in Nigeria will be defined by how well we protect our workforce while driving productivity and growth.' He highlighted the core principle of the Employees' Compensation Act 2010, asserting that every worker matters, and no job is worth a life. Faleye called on organizations to align with safety and health compliance standards, utilizing the SWIP platform for engagement and learning.
Faleye emphasized that compliance should be viewed as a strategic business decision, protecting human capital, reducing operational risks, and enhancing corporate reputation. Over the years, SWIP has evolved into a strategic platform for raising awareness, strengthening compliance, and fostering collaboration on occupational safety and health. The forum brings together employers, workers, regulators, and partners to collectively build safer and more productive workplaces.
NECA Director-General, Mr. Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, described workplace safety as a fundamental responsibility of employers, acknowledging the drive for profit and productivity while insisting that worker safety must remain a top priority. He warned that occupational safety is often treated with dangerous nonchalance by both employers and employees, despite its life-and-death implications. Oyerinde expressed confidence that SWIP would not only reward excellence but also help reset the national conversation on workplace safety.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi, described SWIP as a collaborative occupational health and safety initiative designed to enhance workplace safety nationwide through structured audits, stakeholder engagement, and recognition of best practices. He emphasized that occupational health and safety is a shared responsibility and cannot be handled by the government alone. The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, echoed this sentiment, stating that a safe workplace is not optional but a legal requirement. She advocated for a review of the legal framework to ensure adequate compensation for workers' lives when accidents result in fatalities.
The NSITF's Executive Director of Operations, Mojisola Ali-Macaulay, highlighted the Fund's statutory role in occupational safety and health, noting that Section 3 of the Act explicitly makes OSH part of NSITF's mandate. She shared the Fund's achievements, including compensating 142,576 beneficiaries, registering over 197,938 employers, and conducting OSH audits and inspections at 3,986 sites nationwide. Ali-Macaulay also emphasized the NSITF's expanded presence across Nigeria's 36 states, with 13 regions and 62 branches.
The event recognized organizations with outstanding commitment to occupational health and safety, and the NSITF committed to deepening collaboration, strengthening compliance, and promoting a culture where every workplace is safe. The journey ahead involves upscaling employer onboarding, compliance enforcement, and OSH advocacy, with a focus on workplace safety monitoring and digital service delivery.
