In a unified show of commitment to improving occupational safety standards, the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, in partnership with prominent stakeholders, has reiterated the urgent need for collaborative action to secure safer working environments across all sectors in Nigeria.
This call was amplified during a one-day conference held at the National Assembly in Abuja, organised to mark the World Day for Safety under the theme, “The Legislative Perspective: Safety First, Building a Safer Future for All Nigerians.”
Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, delivered a keynote address in which he underscored the critical importance of reinforcing current safety legislation to ensure comprehensive protection for workers in both public and private sectors.
He pointed to the disturbing frequency of workplace injuries as a pressing reason why the 10th House of Representatives has prioritised occupational safety within its legislative agenda.
The conference brought together lawmakers, safety professionals, and representatives of key institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals, and the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
These groups lent their voices to the call for stricter enforcement and enhancement of existing safety laws to meet the realities of Nigeria’s evolving work environments.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, affirmed the government’s ongoing collaboration with various stakeholders to elevate safety standards in the workplace, stating that his ministry is actively engaged in efforts to promote safer conditions for all Nigerian workers.
Both the Speaker and the Chairman of the Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations pledged that the House would work to strengthen legislative frameworks governing workplace safety, ensuring they align with international best practices.
The conference served as a powerful reminder of the national resolve to place safety at the forefront of Nigeria’s development agenda, signalling a renewed legislative and institutional commitment to safeguarding the lives and wellbeing of all workers in the country.
