The Minister of State of Works praises President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, calls for cooperation, and receives an OSHA Fellow award.
The Federal Government’s steadfast commitment to enhancing workplace safety standards in Nigeria has been reaffirmed by the Honorable Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, Esq., who has emphasized that occupational health and safety must continue to be a national priority for sustainable development.
The Minister underlined that workplace safety is not just a regulatory obligation but a shared responsibility that necessitates the active involvement of the public and private sectors, labor unions, professional associations, and society at large during a national stakeholders’ workshop on workplace safety and health held on August 28, 2025, at the Ministry’s Hall.
When safety procedures and guidelines are followed, there is a significant decrease in accidents, an increase in productivity, and notable improvements in the human development index. “Every workplace policy and practice must be centered on protecting human lives,” said Barr. Goronyo.
In order to adapt international best practices to Nigeria’s realities, the Minister called for greater cooperation among stakeholders while acknowledging current issues like lax enforcement, insufficient regulations, and low awareness. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he claimed “is already yielding results across all sectors,” and praised the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) for its leadership in advancing international standards.
Goronyo emphasized that one of Nigeria’s most valuable resources is its workforce, but he cautioned that it is impossible to overlook the productivity losses and fatalities brought on by hazardous working conditions. According to research, companies that prioritize workplace safety see improvements in efficiency, lower injury rates, and higher employee morale.
Senior stakeholders’ goodwill messages were also included in the workshop:
In the informal economy, where enforcement is lax, and in high-risk industries like manufacturing, construction, and oil and gas, workplace safety is particularly important, according to Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works (represented by Engr. Atule Isaac, Director, Central Workshop and Equipment). He encouraged workers to strictly follow safety regulations and urged employers to consider safety as part of production costs. He reiterated that the Ministry is still dedicated to making sure that workplace safety is maintained throughout all of its initiatives and activities.
Speaking on behalf of the Council of Fellowship (OSHAssociation), Dr. Dalhatu Mohammed, the President of the OSHAssociation UK, Nigeria Chapter, Mr. Aderemi (JP, FIMC, CMC, MCArb, and FOSHA) characterized health and safety as a moral and financial obligation. He restated the Association’s guiding principles and urged stakeholders to prioritize safety in workplaces and prioritize prevention over cure.
In order to emphasize the need for consistent action, Rear Admiral (Rtd.) BEE Ibe-Enwo, FOSHA, Chief Technical Officer, OSHA Nigeria, cited concerning data indicating that the number of fatalities from workplace accidents increased from 71 in 1997–1999 to 238 in 2014–2016.
Barr. Goronyo was officially named a Fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) in honor of his outstanding advocacy and leadership. His exceptional dedication to raising workplace safety, health standards, and the creation of safer work environments in Nigeria is reflected in the prestigious award.
The Minister responded to the award by calling the fellowship a call to greater responsibility and promising to step up his efforts to save workers’ lives, encourage safer working conditions, and make sure that safety becomes a key component of national development.
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