The Federal Government has reiterated unwavering commitment to strengthen workplace safety standards in Nigeria, stressing that occupational health and safety must remain a national priority for sustainable development.
Minister of State for Works, Bello M. Goronyo who stated this at the Workshop on Workplace Safety and Health held in Abuja recently, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while decorated as Fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA).
According to the statement released by the Ministry, the Minister emphasized that workplace safety is not merely a regulatory duty but shared responsibility that requires the active involvement of govt, the private sector, labour unions, professional bodies, and society at large.
He said, “When safety measures and protocols are enforced, accidents reduce drastically, productivity improves, and the human development index records significant gains. Protecting human lives must be at the center of every workplace policy and practice”.
The Minister acknowledged existing challenges such as weak enforcement, inadequate regulations, and low awareness, but called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to adapt global best practices to Nigeria’s realities.
He commended the OSHA for its leadership in promoting international standards, while also applauding the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said “is already yielding results across all sectors.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s workforce as one of the nation’s greatest assets, Goronyo warned that loss of lives and productivity due to unsafe work environments cannot be ignored.
Research, he noted, shows that organizations prioritizing workplace safety enjoy higher employee morale, reduced injuries, and improved efficiency.
The workshop also featured goodwill messages from senior stakeholders: The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi (represented by the Director, Central Workshop and Equipment, Engr. Atule Isaac), stressed that workplace safety is especially critical in high-risk sectors such as construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing, as well as in the informal economy where enforcement is weak. 
He urged employers to treat safety as part of production costs while encouraging workers to adhere strictly to safety guidelines.
He reaffirmed that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that workplace safety is upheld across all its operations and projects.
Also speaking, the President of OSHAssociation UK, Nigeria Chapter, Mr. Aderemi, represented by the Chairman, Council of Fellowship (OSHAssociation), Dr. Dalhatu Mohammed, described health and safety as both a moral and economic responsibility.
He urged stakeholders to embrace prevention over cure, embed a safety-first culture across workplaces, and reiterated the Association’s guiding principles.
Rear Admiral (Rtd.) BEE Ibe-Enwo, FOSHA, Chief Technical Officer, OSHA Nigeria, highlighted alarming statistics showing that fatalities from workplace accidents rose from 71 deaths in 1997–1999 to 238 deaths between 2014–2016, underscoring the urgency of sustained action.
In recognition of his exceptional leadership and advocacy, Barr. Goronyo was formally decorated as a Fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA).
The prestigious honor reflects his outstanding commitment to advancing workplace safety, health standards, and the promotion of safer work environments in Nigeria.
Responding to the conferment, the Minister described the fellowship as a call to greater responsibility, pledging to deepen his efforts in protecting workers’ lives, promoting safer workplaces, and ensuring that safety becomes an integral part of national development.
