The unsafe working environment in Nigeria has become alarming, with a surge in industrial accidents resulting in death, maiming, and incapacitation. The inaction of regulatory authorities to address this situation is a tragedy.
Recently, Adeyemi Aderounmu, Patrick Ikenwe, Augustine Nwamba, Tukur Mohammed Kabiru Labaran, Adebanjo Adeyemi, and Yusuf Akeem lost their lives in the Maritime industry. The sector has also recorded numerous cases of maiming and incapacitation of workers. The Textile sector has also been affected, with workplace tragedies including:
- Mr. Shola Odunleye, who suffered burns on January 24, 1999, at ITI Process House, Lagos.
- Mr. Ayodele Amusan, who lost his left palm on March 9, 2000, at ITI Process House, Lagos.
- Mr. John Onyemah, who suffered a severe vertebral column injury on September 15, 2000, at ITI Process House, Lagos.
- Mr. Emmanuel Olutsosoye, who lost a finger on February 6, 2002, at First Spinners PLC.
- Mr. Ali Oloche, who suffered abrasions on two left fingers on September 12, 2000, at First Spinners PLC.
- Mr. Kareem Aderemi, who suffered abrasions on two right fingers on June 26, 2002, at First Spinners PLC.
- Mr. Rasheed Quadris, who suffered abrasions on his right fingers on March 3, 2000, at First Spinners PLC.
- Mr. Oke Olakunle, who suffered minor abrasions on his right fingers on March 3, 2000, at First Spinners PLC.
Sadly, Mr. Ekuma Sunday died on September 7, 2010, after collapsing at work at United Nigeria Textile LTD. More recently, Mr. Richard Gbadebo died on July 28, 2020, while operating a machine at Henkel Nigeria Limited, and Mr. Temidayo Kayode suffered a hand injury on April 26, 2022, at Yanou Industry Nigeria Limited, which led to amputation.
NLC President Joe Ajaero highlighted the issue of unsafe working environments in his remarks at the national retreat on Labour reforms and the quest for a living wage in Nigeria, organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies on July 8, 2024. Ajaero emphasized the need for legislative interventions to address the challenges faced by Nigerian workers, including inadequate wages, rising inflation, and an increasing cost of living.
He also mentioned the recent death of Yahaya Ibrahim, a 27-year-old worker at KAM Steel Integrated Company, who was crushed by a Roller machine on July 7, 2024. Ajaero stressed the importance of legislative oversight and the enactment of policies that protect workers' rights and welfare. He urged lawmakers to discharge their duties effectively to create a decent work environment that supports a decent standard of living for Nigerian workers.