The Federal Government has urged stakeholders to promote a resilient safety and health culture in organisations and industries.
Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, made this call at the maiden Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Summit in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Onyejeocha, Nigeria faces significant challenges in Occupational Safety and Health, including inadequate safety standards, limited awareness creation and training, unreported industrial accidents, occupational diseases, weak legislation, and policy enforcement.
“To address these challenges, the government is committed to changing the narrative by bringing together diverse stakeholders to promote the adoption of a safety-first mindset.
“The ministry has rolled out various initiatives to promote workplace safety and health, including exhibitions, paper presentations, and discussions aimed at addressing emerging workplace risks and sharing innovative solutions.
“The ultimate goal 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, highlighting the vital connection between mental health and work.
She commended the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for providing technical and financial support for improving Occupational Safety and Health in Nigeria.
She said that the summit also marked the unveiling of key regulatory initiatives designed to strengthen workplace safety in Nigeria, including the Nigeria Country Profile on OSH 2024.
Onyejeocha called on stakeholders, including employers, workers, regulators, and researchers, to leverage these regulations as a foundation for collaboration to identify risks and design effective strategies to ensure safer workplaces.