The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to create a specific budget line for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), beginning with the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The motion, moved by Hon. David Zachariah (APC, Kogi), aims to strengthen workplace safety culture in the public sector and reduce the alarming rate of occupational accidents and hazards within government establishments.
According to the lawmaker, several government agencies have witnessed avoidable workplace incidents, injuries, and even deaths due to poor safety provisions and lack of funding. He stressed that without a clear financial allocation for OSH programmes, MDAs are unable to implement preventive measures, conduct staff safety training, or procure essential protective equipment.
Zachariah lamented that the absence of a dedicated safety budget has hindered the enforcement of the Head of Civil Service’s 2022 directive mandating all MDAs to establish OSH desks. The circular, issued on 6 July 2022, was meant to institutionalise workplace safety, but its implementation has been weak because most MDAs lack financial backing.
He further cited Section 17(3c) of the Nigerian Constitution, which compels the state to ensure the safety and welfare of all employed persons. He also referenced Nigeria’s ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 155 and 187, which require governments to provide sustainable frameworks and resources for safe and decent work.
“The failure to allocate funds for OSH contradicts Nigeria’s commitment to international labour standards and exposes workers to preventable risks,” Zachariah said.
Following deliberations, the House urged the Ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and the Office of the Head of Civil Service to include an OSH budget line in the 2026 national budget.
It also directed its Committees on Safety Standards and Regulations, Finance, and Appropriation to liaise with relevant offices to ensure full implementation and utilisation of the new budget line.
In recent years, workplace hazards have been a recurring challenge in government institutions, ranging from building collapses and electrical faults to chemical exposure and fire outbreaks. Experts say the inclusion of a dedicated OSH budget could mark a turning point in promoting safer and more productive public workplaces.
