The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the advancement of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill to ensure safer and healthier workplaces in the country.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, stated this in Abuja at the World Day for Safety Conference, Nigeria 2025 organised by the House Committee on Safety Standards & Regulations to commemorate the 2025 World Day for Safety and Health.
In his goodwill message at the event, Dingyadi noted that the National Occupational Safety and Health Management System requires a harmonised approach, rooted in the principles of tripartism, where the government, employers, and workers’ organizations collaborate as equal partners.
According to him, adopting a tripartite approach ensures that policies are not only technically sound but also practically enforceable and socially inclusive.
He recalled that the Ministry, as the authority in labour matters in the country, led the development of the OSH bill, crafted through a tripartite-plus framework, involving the government, organized labour, employers’ associations, and technical experts.
The Minister explained that all these stakeholders were involved to bring about a legislation that balances global standards with the national context.
He said: “We recognize that bureaucratic processes have at times delayed the comprehensive review of the Labour Laws. Nevertheless, Year 2024 marked significant progress with the publication of Nigeria’s revised OSH Country Profile and the Federal Executive Council’s approval of landmark OSH regulations such as the Construction Safety Regulations 2024 – now gazetted and publicly accessible.”
Dingyadi reaffirmed the government’s determination to see the advancement of this legislation and counted on the continued partnership of all stakeholders to make the OSH bill a reality.
He described this year’s global theme, declared by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), “Revolutionizing Health and Safety : The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work,” as both timely and significant, given the rapidly evolving world of work characterised by digital labour platforms, remote work arrangements, and a growing array of emerging smart technologies.
Dingyadi also noted the theme of the conference, “The Legislative Perspective: Building a Safer Future for All Nigerians,” serves as a strategic complement to the ILO’s global focus, highlighting the critical role of legislation in helping to shape a resilient and future-ready Occupational Safety and Health framework.
The Minister maintained that the safety of the nation’s workers must be anchored on secure technologies, sound data protection, and inclusive policy frameworks that uphold International Labour Standards.
He stated that the Ministry remains committed to engaging constructively with the National Assembly, social partners, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that emerging legislative proposals, including the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, reflect a unified, robust, and forward-looking national strategy that balances innovation with worker protection.
The Minister emphasised the significant role of legislation in “navigating the digital frontier responsibly, ensuring that innovation does not erode the foundational rights, dignity, and welfare of the Nigerian worker.”
Dingyadi enjoined all stakeholders to rise together to the challenge of building a resilient safety culture, underpinned by innovation, inclusivity, and a shared commitment to protecting the lives of all Nigerian workers.
The Minister stated that “the journey toward safer and healthier workplaces in Nigeria demands collaboration across the executive and legislative arms of government, all facets of the public and private sectors, civil society and even the press.”
Presenting a keynote address, the Country Director of ILO, Vanessa Phala, described workplace safety as a constitutional duty, a human right and the cornerstone of national resilience.
Phala, represented by Runo Onosode, said despite the global progress, too many workers continue to lose their lives or suffer injury, highlighting the need for action.
She lamented that that these risks have further been compounded by climate change, with over 70 percent of the global workforce exposed to new health threats, including excessive heat, UV radiation and air pollution.
The ILO Country Director said, “In Nigeria, the stakes are high. Workers in manufacturing, construction, agriculture and the informal sector face daily hazards. That is why the National OSH bill is so critical. Its passage would establish strong national institutions, mandate accident reporting, strengthen data systems, promote culture of prevention, and lay the legal foundation for protecting all Nigerians, not just workers, but every citizen, in the civil space.”
She commended Nigeria’s proactive steps, such as the ratification of ILO’s Conventions 155 and 187, which show leadership and set an example across the continent.
Phala noted that the conversation today is shifting to new frontiers, the role of digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in safety, but warned that without robust legislation, innovation could easily become a new source of hazard.
Signed
Patience Onuobia
Head, Press and Public Relations
