The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has directed a comprehensive modernisation of Nigeria’s occupational safety laws, warning that millions of workers across key sectors are facing preventable hazards that undermine productivity.

Abbas made the call at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, while declaring open a public hearing on the Occupational Health and Safety Bill, 2025.

He cautioned that inadequate regulations, weak enforcement and obsolete frameworks have allowed unsafe practices to persist in factories, construction sites, farms, hospitals and oil and gas installations.

According to him, the resulting injuries, illnesses and fatalities are avoidable tragedies that require immediate legislative intervention.

The Speaker also stressed that hazards such as collapsing structures, toxic exposure and malfunctioning machinery remain unacceptably common.

He explained that the proposed Bill aims to overhaul the outdated Factories Act, close regulatory gaps and establish a unified national safety architecture capable of addressing modern industrial realities.

He said particular attention is being given to workers in underserved sectors, including informal workers, healthcare personnel and transport operators, who often operate without adequate legal protection.

Abbas added that strengthening workplace safety would yield wider national benefits, including higher productivity, reduced medical expenses, improved investor confidence and enhanced competitiveness in the global market.

He urged stakeholders participating in the hearing to provide practical insights that would further refine the draft legislation and ensure its effective implementation across all sectors.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Hon. David Zacharias, described the bill as a historic milestone for Nigeria, stressing that it represents a decisive break from decades of outdated and ineffective safety laws.

Lawmakers were informed that the framework aligns with international best practices and responds directly to persistent hazards such as unsafe equipment, chemical exposure, infectious diseases and transportation-related accidents.

The chairman also highlighted the bill’s comprehensive scope, which introduces clearer employer obligations, stronger enforcement mechanisms, improved penalties and mandatory reporting systems.

It was gathered that the expected legislation, when passed into law, will impact manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, agriculture and healthcare, while also extending protection to millions in the informal sector for the first time.

At the hearing, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) called on lawmakers to clarify provisions related to fire protection to avoid conflicts with existing laws.

The service, through the Chief Superintendent of Fire, Sarki Abdul-Rahman, also called for alignment between the new bill, the Fire Service Act, the National Building Code and the Fire Code, stressing that all fire-safety approvals and enforcement actions must remain within its statutory mandate.