Speaker Abbas Advocates Safer Work Conditions

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has called for improved safety measures to protect Nigerian workers from occupational hazards.

Speaking at the *World Day for Safety Conference, Nigeria 2025*, held in Abuja, Abbas highlighted the alarming number of injuries and fatalities that occur in workplaces due to inadequate safety standards.

He expressed concern over the lack of reliable data on workplace incidents in Nigeria, stating that, “In Nigeria, data on workplace injuries and fatalities may not be reliable due to the absence of comprehensive documentation. Much of the existing data comes from high-risk sectors like petroleum and mining, but even those figures are neither exhaustive nor current.”

According to him, the last recorded national data spanned from 1994 to 2001.

He referenced an online report quoting International Labour Organization (ILO) sources, which recorded 238 fatalities and 3,461 injuries in the construction industry between 2014 and 2016. He also cited a study conducted at the Federal Medical Center in Asaba, where out of 167 healthcare workers—including doctors, nurses, and lab personnel—52.7% reported experiencing needle pricks, while 53.3% reported blood splash incidents.

“These may not seem like serious injuries at first glance,” he said, “but their implications become grave during outbreaks like Ebola, COVID-19, or HIV. We lost brave health workers like Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh and nurse Justina Ejelonu in 2014 during the Ebola crisis. Their sacrifices remind us of the risks health workers face daily.”

Speaker Abbas also addressed the construction sector, noting that many workers have suffered fatal or life-altering injuries due to unsafe acts and conditions.

He listed contributing factors such as lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), hoisting equipment, proper scaffolding, and adequate rain gear.

He stressed the House’s commitment to passing laws that safeguard workers, adding that, “Today’s event is a crucial reminder of the need to protect workers from occupational hazards.

For those of us in Parliament, we have a duty to ensure that appropriate legislation is enacted and enforced.”

The Speaker urged the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to begin comprehensive documentation of workplace incidents to guide policymaking and intervention.

Also speaking at the event, Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammed Dingyadi, acknowledged that bureaucratic challenges have delayed the review of labour laws but emphasized the need for collective action.

“The journey to a safer, healthier workplace in Nigeria requires the commitment of all stakeholders,” he said. “Let us rise to the challenge of building a resilient safety culture grounded in innovation, inclusivity, and shared responsibility.”

The Chairman of the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Representative David Zacharias, described the conference as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of a safer society.

“This is more than a conference; it’s a national call to action,” he said. “Safety must become a cultural value, extending from our workplaces to our homes and roads.”

In her keynote address, the Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Dr. Vanessa Phala, called on the Nigerian government to invest in a robust data management system to support evidence-based policymaking.

She also urged the government to ensure adequate compensation for workers affected by workplace incidents.

The event was widely applauded by stakeholders, who praised the House of Representatives for organizing the nation’s first-ever *World Day for Safety Conference*.

This year’s theme was: *“The Legislative Perspective: Safety First, Building a Safer Future for All Nigerians.”*