We Must Urgently Update Work Safety Laws – Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has declared that the nation must urgently modernise its occupational safety laws to protect millions of workers who face preventable risks daily in factories, construction sites, farms, hospitals, and other workplaces.

Abbas stated this while declaring open a public hearing on the Occupational Health and Safety Bill, 2025, organised by the House Committees on Safety Standards and Regulation and Labour, Employment and Productivity.

Represented by Hon. Olumide Osoba, the speaker warned that Nigeria’s workforce continues to suffer injuries, illnesses and deaths that could have been avoided if stronger regulations and enforcement mechanisms were in place.

“Across several industries, workers still face hazards that undermine their dignity and productivity. Many of these tragedies are preventable.

“The current system suffers from outdated regulations, weak enforcement, and inadequate institutional frameworks. This Bill seeks to close those gaps and establish a harmonised national safety architecture,” he explained.

Abbas added that the proposed law gives renewed attention to workers in the informal sector, healthcare workers, transport operators, and artisans who, despite forming the bulk of the country’s workforce, are among the least protected.

“This public hearing reflects our belief that effective laws emerge when the voices of industry experts, unions, professionals, and regulators are heard,” he said.

Chairman of the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Hon. David Zacharias, described the proposed Occupational Safety and Health Bill as a historic milestone for Nigeria, saying the country is finally taking decisive steps toward modernising its outdated workplace safety laws.

He said the legislation marks a transformative moment for workplace safety after decades of relying on laws that no longer reflect the realities of Nigeria’s evolving work environment.

“This is not just a legislative formality; it is a historic milestone for Nigeria,” he said. “After years of persistent advocacy from safety professionals, organised labour, industry leaders and concerned citizens, the Occupational Safety and Health Bill now stands before the public for consideration,” he said.