The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Justice Benedict Kanyip, has said Nigeria’s ratification of two major International LabourOrganisation (ILO) conventions places a binding obligation on the government to prevent workplace hazards and compensate workers affected by injuries.
Speaking at a legal stakeholders’ interactive session on the operation of the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS) in Abuja, Justice Kanyip said the Occupational Safety and Health Convention 1981 (Convention 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention 2006 (Convention 187) require Nigeria to adopt stronger systems for workplace safety.
“Our ratification of these conventions is not symbolic; they impose binding duties on government,” he said, stressing that Nigeria must strengthen implementation to protect millions of employees across sectors.
The NICN president also highlighted provisions of the National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Policy of 2020, noting that the policy applies to workers in both public and private sectors, including those in informal employment. According to him, the OSH policy covers all workplaces under employer control.
He explained that the objectives of the policy include improving working conditions, preventing work-related accidents, and providing occupational health services across all industries.
Justice Kanyip warned that Nigeria cannot afford weak enforcement of labour standards, adding that its international commitments require measurable and effective safeguards for workers’ safety nationwide.
