As the Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON) prepares to host its 2025 Annual Conference with the theme “Advancing Occupational and Environmental Health Practice in Nigeria”, attention will be focused on the role of the Society in shaping policies, building professional capacity and safeguarding workers’ health across industries.
Against the backdrop of evolving workplace hazards, climate change concerns and the need for stronger regulatory compliance, the SOEHPON 2025 conference will provide a unique platform for stakeholders to deliberate on how to improve occupational and environmental health outcomes in the country.
In this exclusive interview with Clifford Ejenavi, the President of SOEHPON, Dr. Musa Shaibu, explores the Society’s vision, strategies, challenges and contributions to advancing occupational and environmental health practice in Nigeria. Excerpts!
What is the main vision of SOEHPON for advancing occupational and environmental health in Nigeria through this 2025 conference?
The main vision of SOEHPON in focus with the theme of the 2025 Scientific Conference is the better uptake of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices and enhancement of health and safety in all workplaces with consequent reduction in workplace incidents, accident, work-related conditions and man-hour losses with enhanced productivity.
To achieve these, we envision improved advocacy and capacity building in OHS across workplaces as well as more deployment of technology especially AI and even enhanced Data driven Occupational Health and Safety Practice
How does the 2025 theme reflect the current realities and challenges facing workplace and environmental health in Nigeria?
The theme for the 2025 Conference is apt as it is aimed at lifting the practice of Occupational Practice from the current reality of low access, poor practice and very low coverage. It is hoped that deliberation at this Conference will drive more advocacy, uptake across more sectors, especially the informal Sector, deployment of emerging technology and even more interest in OH among practitioners.
Deliberations at the conference should advance the practice of OH beyond the present realities to the much-desired Universal Access among the workforce.
What specific outcomes or resolutions does the Society hope to achieve at the end of the conference?
Specifically, this would include better awareness among more stakeholders especially Captains of Industries; prioritization of OHS in workplaces; better penetration of work places with OHS, especially in the informal sector; better understanding and adoption of latest technology in our practice, including AI; increase uptake of data in OHS Practice and improved quality of care among practitioners.
What is the current state of occupational & environmental health in Nigeria?
The current state of practice of OHS is low in most sectors and even worse in the informal sector with over 80% of the workforce; Number of trained Practitioners is small with only few Centers for training in Occupational Health; low priority attention from Government agencies and Ministries.
The laws and Regulations are obsolete! No doubts, OHS requires all hands on the deck to get out of the present reality.
How would you assess the current level of awareness and compliance with occupational and environmental health standards in Nigeria?
Awareness and compliance are still generally low despite improvement being recorded among some corporate organizations. This is however not the case in the informal sector where the levels are much poorer. Lots of advocacy, guidance and support are still needed to chance this narrative.
What are the most pressing workplace health and safety issues affecting Nigerian workers today?
Some of these pressing issues include Weak and obsolete Legislation and poor enforcement; inadequate awareness and training; Poor reporting, investigation and learning from incidents and accidents; low Safety standards and consequently very high vulnerability of Nigerian workers to multiple work place diseases, incidents, accidents and consequences ie work-related morbidities and mortalities.
How has environmental pollution and climate change impacted occupational health in Nigeria, and what role can SOEHPON play in addressing it?
These factors, singly and combined, have increased to risks associated with various hazards in the many workplaces with resultant negative impacts on exposed workers.The key role of SOEHPON will include Advocacy and enlightenment to relevant stakeholders ie Industrialists, Workers / Trade Unions, Law Makers and Regulators etc.
Training of workers in the identification and management of various hazards in work places Capacity building among practitioners for the monitoring of workers health, prevention and early management of work-related cases Policy and Regulation.
What efforts are being made to strengthen legislation and regulatory enforcement on occupational health and safety in Nigeria?
SOEHPON is currently liaising and working with relevant players and stakeholders to update the existing but obsolete OHS Laws as part of efforts at strengthening legislation and enforcement on OHS in Nigeria. These stakeholders include the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the National Assembly.
This was the key driver for the recent visit of SOEHPON NEC to the Chair, Senate Committee on Health, Hon. Dr. Senator Ipalibo Banigo at which some road maps were mapped out to progress to the objective.
How can SOEHPON support lawmakers in developing evidence-based policies that safeguard workplaces and the environment?
SOEHPON can provide such support with relevant data on OHS practice and outcomes to help develop the needed evidence-based policies that will safeguard workplaces and the evidence.
What gaps still exist in Nigeria’s occupational health laws compared to international best practices?
These gaps exist in all areas of the OHS Value chair and this requires a total overhaul of the existing Laws, Collaboration and Capacity Building.
What role does international partnership play in advancing occupational and environmental health practice in Nigeria?
The key role of international partnership is the exposure and bench-marking with global standard practice, and capacity building through exchange of ideas, knowledge, skill and new Technologies.
Looking beyond 2025, what legacy would you like this conference to leave for both professionals and policymakers?
As President, I will like this Conference to leave behind the following legacies of SOEHPON a more visible partner in ensuring the health and safety of all stakeholders in all workplaces.
