Reps pledge to strengthen occupational health, safety regulations

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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Thursday reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to overhaul Nigeria’s occupational health and safety laws, many of which remain outdated and inadequate for modern workplaces.

Abbas, who was represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Olumide Osoba, made the remarks at the opening of a public hearing on the Occupational Health and Safety Bill, 2025, organised by the Committees on Safety Standards and Regulation and Labour, Employment and Productivity.

Nigeria’s existing safety framework still rests largely on the Factories Act of 2004, a law rooted in colonial-era factory standards and not aligned with contemporary industrial realities.

Despite rapid expansion in construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, transportation and the informal economy, workplace injuries, building collapses, chemical exposures and occupational diseases continue to rise, often with little accountability.

Regulators have long complained of outdated provisions, weak enforcement powers and the absence of a comprehensive national framework covering both formal and informal workers.

Against this backdrop, Abbas said millions of Nigerian workers remain exposed to avoidable dangers every day.

“Workers across sectors are still exposed to hazards that threaten their safety, dignity and productivity. Most of these incidents are preventable,” he said.

He added that the existing regulatory structure does not sufficiently protect workers, stressing the urgent need to strengthen the law.

“Outdated laws, weak enforcement and limited institutional capacity have hampered workplace safety. This bill seeks to close these gaps and establish a comprehensive national safety framework,” the Speaker noted.

Abbas explained that the proposed legislation is designed to extend protection to workers in the informal sector, healthcare, transport, artisanal trades and other high-risk groups that have historically remained outside the safety net despite accounting for a significant share of the labour force.

Strengthening occupational safety, he said, would also enhance national productivity, reduce medical and compensation costs, minimise disruptions caused by workplace accidents and improve investor confidence.

According to him, “The hearing reflects our commitment to creating effective legislation by incorporating the insights of industry experts, trade unions, regulators and professionals.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, David Zacharias, described the bill as a landmark intervention aimed at bringing Nigeria’s industrial safety laws in line with contemporary realities.

“This legislation is more than a formality; it marks a turning point for occupational safety in the country. Following years of advocacy by safety professionals, labour groups and industry leaders, the bill is now open for public review,” he said.

The bill seeks to repeal the Factories Act of 2004 and replace it with a science-driven framework aligned with international best practices and relevant International Labour Organisation conventions.

Zacharias noted that despite ongoing reforms, “millions of Nigerian workers are still exposed to chemical hazards, unsafe machinery, building collapses and infectious diseases without adequate protection.”

He added, “A safe workforce is a productive workforce. No Nigerian should risk life or livelihood simply by going to work.”

He also urged labour unions, employers, civil society organisations, safety professionals and regulators to actively engage in fine-tuning the bill to ensure its effectiveness once enacted.

A representative of the Federal Fire Service, Sarki Abdul-Rahman, commended the overall objectives of the bill but called for clearer provisions to avoid overlaps with existing fire-safety laws.

He argued that fire-safety mandates must remain consistent with the Fire Service Act, National Building Code and Fire Code, and advocated a review of sanctions to ensure penalties are proportionate to the severity of violations.

Dirisu, has over 12 years experience covering political parties, National Assembly, sports, transportation, etc, and currently works with The PUNCH

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