Nigeria Promises Better Protection for Workers

Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi. Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
The Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi at the Global Labour Market Conference (GLMC 2026) in Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia..Credit: The Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi at the Global Labour Market Conference (GLMC 2026) in Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Nigeria’s Labour Minister said Wednesday that every worker deserves protection, as the government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening occupational safety across all sectors.

Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi made the remarks during the commemoration of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026 in Abuja, themed “Let’s Ensure a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment.”

“Every worker, whether in a factory, office, farm, mine or construction site, deserves protection. No job should cost life, no worker should suffer illness due to preventable hazards,” Dingyadi said on Wednesday.

Advertisement

He stressed that a healthy psychosocial work environment is critical to productivity, job satisfaction and national development.

Workplaces that prioritise respect, inclusion, work-life balance and mental well-being are more resilient and better positioned for sustainable growth, he added.

The minister said the government is committed to mainstreaming occupational safety and health into national development policies, expanding protections for vulnerable and informal workers, and advancing gender-responsive and inclusive safety standards.

Nigeria Promises Better Protection for Workers
Nigeria Promises Better Protection for Workers. Credit: Atmos Magazine.

“We must therefore mainstream OSH into national development policies, extend protection to vulnerable and informal workers and promote gender-responsive and inclusive safety policies,” Dingyadi said.

“Let’s move beyond compliance to commitment where the safety of every Nigerian worker becomes a shared national value.”

Earlier, the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Mohammed Abubakar, urged employers to adopt policies promoting mental health awareness and establish support systems for employees without fear of victimisation.

He also called on workers to foster supportive work environments and seek help when necessary.

The government said strengthening workplace safety remains central to its agenda of safeguarding workers’ rights and enhancing national productivity.

Author

  • Jimisayo Opanuga

    Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.

Share the Story
Advertisement

Keep Up to Date with the Most Important News

Weekly roundups. Sharp analysis. Zero noise.
The NewsCentral TV Newsletter delivers the headlines that matter—straight to your inbox, keeping you updated regularly.