To strengthen the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed readiness to collaborate closely with the organised labour, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Speaking in Lagos at the Safe Workplace Intervention Project (SWIP) Annual Interactive Enlightenment Forum and Awards Presentation ceremonies held at the NECA House, the Director-General of NECA, Mr Wale Smatt-Oyerinde, expressed confidence that the scheme would benefit Nigerian workers.
He also explained that SWIP was designed as a learning and equipment platform, enabling employers to better understand their obligations under the law, appreciate the benefits of compliance and adopt proactive occupational safety and health practices that protect both workers and enterprises.
He described the programme as deliberate interventions to recognize organizations that have demonstrated exemplary commitment to workplace safety, while also providing a forum for open dialogue on the practical challenges employers face in implementing the ECA 2010.
“The Lagos event is part of the nationwide SWIP engagement series, which reflects the association’s resolve to ensure that employers across the country are adequately informed, engaged, and supported in achieving compliance and improving workplace safety outcomes. Safe workplaces are productive places where workers are protected, motivated, and assured of compensation in the event of injury or any disease,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Maigari Dingyadi, said the SWIP initiative has brought together key stakeholders to advance the cause of safe, healthy, and productive workplaces in Nigeria.
He also noted that the Act represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s labour administration framework, guaranteeing fair, adequate compensation to workers who suffer injuries, disabilities, or diseases. or death arising from the cause of their employment.
“It places a premium on prevention by encouraging employers to prioritize workplace safety, risk management, and occupational therapy,” he said, noting that the project is timely and strategic by combining awareness of client support and recognition of best practices to promote a culture in which safety is not seen as a cost, but as a critical investment in human capital, productivity, and national development.
On her part, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Ms Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, stated that the federal government is working around the clock to strengthen the enforcement of the Factory Rights Act.
“We cannot speak of job creation while workers are exposed to preventable danger. No job is worth a human life. Our objective is simple but non-negotiable. Every Nigerian worker must leave home for work and return safely at the end of the day,” she said, urging employers to fully comply with the provisions of the Act and contribute by continuously investing in safety systems.
“I also encourage workers to remain self-conscious and to exercise their rights responsibly under the law,” she said.
Congratulating the award winners at the ceremony, the Minister noted that the recognition is a clear demonstration that compliance and competitiveness can go hand in hand.
In his remarks, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, disclosed that a sustained effort to strengthen the NSITF Act, improve compliance, and empower workers can transform occupational risk management in Nigeria.
According to Mr Ajaero, this action will not only reduce the socio-economic burden of workplace injuries but also promote a culture of safety, accountability, and social justice across the nation’s workplaces.
He emphasized the need to focus on raising awareness, enforcement, and inclusivity, noting that the Act can serve as a model framework for workers’ protection, ensuring that all Nigerian employees enjoy their right to fair, timely, and adequate compensation regardless of sector.
Also, the chief executive of NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, said SWIP has evolved into a strategic platform for driving awareness, strengthening compliance, and fostering collaboration around occupational safety and health.
While commending NECA for its consistent leadership and promoting employer compliance and workers’ safety, he noted that compliance must not be seen as a regulatory obligation alone, but as a strategic business decision that saves our human capital, reduces operational risk, and enhances the organization’s reputation.
A major highlight of the event was the recognition of companies such as Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Chi Limited, among others, with some receiving car ambulances to promote workplace safety.