The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has reinforced the critical role of occupational safety and health (OSH) in the private sector, describing it as both a legal obligation and a human rights issue.
NECA Director General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde spoke at a media briefing in Abuja on the Safe Workplace Intervention Project (SWIP), noting that OSH has recently been elevated to a core convention of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), making it binding on all member states regardless of ratification.
“This development places stronger obligations on employers to align workplace practices with international standards,” Oyerinde said.
He stressed that perceptions of workplace safety have shifted beyond mere regulatory compliance, emphasizing that workers are not commodities and that workplace injuries carry human rights implications.
The SWIP programme, revived through NECA’s collaboration with the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and supported by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, promotes voluntary compliance with OSH standards, rather than relying solely on enforcement.
Oyerinde explained that top-performing companies will be recognised and rewarded, while showcasing best practices is expected to encourage wider compliance. Sanctions will apply where voluntary adherence fails.
NECA also highlighted emerging OSH challenges linked to remote work and artificial intelligence, noting that existing frameworks do not fully address work-related accidents outside traditional workplaces.
To ensure credibility, SWIP awards undergo independent external audits, supervised by the Ministry of Labour, with additional safety auditors engaged. Top-performing organisations have been selected across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with ambulances, personal protective equipment, fire extinguishers, and other safety tools to be awarded in Lagos, Enugu, and Abuja.
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