NISCN Writes Tinubu, NASS To Raise 2026 Budget For Occupational Safety, Health Programmes

The National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria, NISCN, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other top officials of the Federal Government saddled with drafting and approval of the Nation’s budget to increase budgetary allocations to Occupational Safety and Health programmes across the Ministry, Departments and Agencies in 2026 budget.

1. This was contained in the letter written by the National President of the safety council , Engr John Obajinmi to President Tinubu, The Senate President , The speaker of the House of Representative, Secretary of the Government of the Federation , Honorable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and Director General of the Budget office of the Federation.
   
2. Paragraph 3 of the letter reads ‘’In line with the provisions of section 17, subsection 3, paragraph C of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which says that The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment are safeguarded and not endangered or abused’’ the National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria is requesting for adequate increment in appropriation of funds through national budgetary allocation to effectively cover for implementation of Occupational Safety and Health sensitization and accident prevention programs nationwide’’.
   
3. The president noted that due to current economic realities, it has become imperative for the Executive arm and Legislators to increase funding to the MDAs especially on Occupational Safety and Health to be able to properly address emerging global situations that may have negative impacts on the Safety and Health of all workers in Nigeria , both in formal and informal sectors. In his word, ‘Productivity of workers can only be guaranteed when their safety , health and wellbeing are fully guaranteed’.
   
4. He also reminded President Tinubu of the agreement the Federal Government of Nigeria signed with International Labour Organization , the first and oldest specialised Agency of the United Nations on implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Convention 155 and 187 which has included Occupational Safety and Health of workers in the list of Fundamental Rights category, noting that adequate budgetary allocation in 2026 budget of the federal government will assist Nigeria to achieve the objectives of the safety conventions.
   
5. He further observed that non formal sector workers dont usually enjoy proper safety coverage from the government and advised that Federal ,State and Local government should made reasonable budgetary allocations for them in the 2026 budget. ‘The United Nation has been calling for inclusivity of all people and workers in all government’s plannings and activities, we can not afford to leave our informal sectors behind in our drive for decent work management systems. Our farmers, artisans, markets people among others need priority attention of the government too, he noted.
   
6. The Federal Government of Nigeria through a cabinet decision established National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria in 1964, in compliance with the convention/directive of the International Labour Organization (ILO) that directed all member countries to create an apex Tripartite Health and Safety body comprising of Government, Labour unions (NLC/TUC) and Employer organization (NECA). Since the 1964, the NISCN has consistently coordinated all advocacy platforms for effective management of OSH awareness creation for all categories of workers in both public and private sectors of Nigeria.
   
7. The council also appealed to Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation to ensure creation of a general budget line for Occupational health and safety across all MDAs.

8. The mandate of the National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) as stipulated in the NISCN Constitution (Section 7) include : To act in an advisory capacity to the government at all levels on Occupational Safety and Health matters, to collaborate with governments at all levels, Workers’ Unions, Employers Associations and other organizations to address safety matters through campaigns, sensitization, and training, to provide consultancy and support services for the prevention of industrial accidents, control and management of hazards in workplaces and to develop relationships with other government and non-governmental agencies, and organizations that share a common interest in the promotion of Occupational Safety and Health at workplaces.

checkout Photo of the letter below:

Speaking on the request to President Tinubu, the NISCN National President, Engr John Obajinmi wrote:

In Line with the mandate of the NISCN, We wrote a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Secretary of the Government of the Federation SGF, Senate President, Hon Speaker House of Rep, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and DG Budget of the Federation. We demanded creation of budget line code specific for Occupational safety and health in all ministries, departments and agencies MDA.

We also asked for increase in budgetary allocation for OSH programmes and activities through the presidency.

The Hon speaker minuted our letter to Chairman House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, who now invited us to speak on the methods to achieve the subject of our letter.

We also requested that federal government should include cost of Safety and Health components in all contracts across the nation.

This will ensure protection of private sector contractors while carrying out projects in Nigeria.

Special thanks to FCT Chairman Engr Deji and Mrs Ajiboye, Environment and Toxic Waste committee chairman.