MINILS raises alarm over rising workplace deaths, pushes safety education as national priority

The Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu, on Tuesday raised fresh concerns over the scale of workplace accidents and deaths globally , describing the trend as “unacceptable and criminal,” and called for sustained workers’ education on safety across the country.

Aremu, who spoke at the 2026 International Day for Safety and Health at Work organized by the Institute in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central cited global data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) showing that about 2.93 million workers die annually from occupational accidents and diseases, including over 350,000 fatal injuries and nearly two million deaths linked to work-related illnesses.

He said the figures underscore a deeper crisis in workplace safety culture, noting that “it is unacceptable that workplaces have been turned into mortuaries,” especially when compared with conflict zones where fewer casualties are recorded.

“Workplace deaths are primarily caused by traumatic incidents such as motor-vehicle accidents, falls, electrical hazards, as well as long-term exposure to toxic substances,” Aremu said, stressing that employers must comply with provisions of the Factories Act and ILO Convention 155 on safe working conditions.

The MINILS boss disclosed that the institute has intensified efforts to promote occupational safety education in line with the Federal Government’s policy direction, adding that new initiatives would include integrating psychosocial risk assessment into safety training and expanding collaboration with regulatory agencies.

“As part of our 2026 mandate, we are deepening training, research and collaboration. We are signing an MoU with the Federal Fire Service and NECA to roll out joint certification on workplace well-being and fire safety across the six geo-political zones,” he said.

Aremu also warned employers against superficial compliance, noting that “a fire extinguisher on the wall is not compliance,” just as he urged trade unions to prioritise safety in collective bargaining agreements.

Earlier, a presentation by the Head of Department, Industrial Inspection and Enforcement, Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, DSF Ibrahim Toyin, highlighted the scale of fire-related risks in Nigerian workplaces and their economic impact.

According to the presentation, over 7,000 fire incidents are recorded annually in Nigeria, with about 42% of workplace fatalities linked to fire and explosions, while nearly 30% of businesses shut down after major fire outbreaks.

The report further estimated that workplace incidents cost Nigeria over ₦2.1 trillion yearly, representing a significant drain on productivity and national output.

Toyin explained that workplace fire safety is “a system, not just equipment,” involving prevention, early detection, suppression and coordinated evacuation, adding that most fire outbreaks are traceable to electrical faults, flammable materials, human negligence and mechanical failures.

He stressed that effective fire risk assessment, compliance with the National Fire Safety Code (2013), and regular emergency drills remain critical to reducing fatalities.

In his remarks, Director of Academics and Distance Learning Programmes at MINILS, Dr. Sylvanus Simon Adamade, said workplace safety remains central to productivity, noting that “only healthy workers can sustain organisational performance.”

He added that the institute has expanded its academic and professional training programmes, including a Bachelor’s degree in Employment Relations and Human Resource Management affiliated with the University of Ilorin and fully accredited since 2023.

Adamade said the institute had so far produced 50 graduates in the field, contributing to strengthening labour relations and workplace management in Nigeria.

He called on stakeholders to take advantage of MINILS training platforms, stressing that collective action is needed to address workplace risks, reduce fatalities and improve national productivity.

The International Day for Safety and Health at Work was officially inaugurated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2003. It is observed annually on April 28 to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally.

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