A person getting injured
The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) has called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as private employers, to prioritise the appointment of certified safety professionals in workplaces nationwide.
ISPON President, Mr Timothy Iwuagwu, made the call during an interview on Sunday in Lagos, emphasising the need to reduce workplace hazards and promote a safer working environment amid Nigeria’s growing population.
He highlighted that Nigeria is the only African country with a chartered safety body and stressed the institute’s commitment to training and certifying professionals in health, safety, and environmental management.
Iwuagwu recalled that in 2022, the Office of the Head of Service directed all MDAs to establish safety desks overseen by certified personnel, noting increasing compliance and enforcement efforts by government agencies.
“Government officials are not immune to workplace hazards,” he said. “They are part of society and must take an active role in enforcing safety standards.”
He added that any individual seeking to serve as a safety officer must undergo formal training and certification through ISPON. “It is illegal to act as a safety officer without certification from the institute,” he warned.
Iwuagwu further stated that global standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) should be upheld to protect all workers.
He explained that some international safety conventions require legislative domestication before they can be enforced in Nigeria. “Once domesticated, relevant agencies must be established to implement them,” he said.
He concluded by affirming ISPON’s readiness to collaborate with government bodies to enhance safety regulation across the country.
