…pushes for stricter safety standards, warns against unqualified practitioners
The President of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Dr. Stephen Udezi, has emphasized the urgent need for Nigerians to embrace a safety-first mindset.
He noted that prioritizing safety in all aspects of life and work is crucial to preventing avoidable incidents and ensuring the well-being of individuals and communities.
Speaking at the ISPON Lagos State Branch Safety Leadership Summit and 2025 Membership Induction Ceremony, Dr. Udezi described the gathering as a vital platform for continuous professional development.
He emphasized that safety is a dynamic field where knowledge must constantly evolve to keep pace with emerging challenges and innovations.
“Safety is not static. We learn new things every day. This summit provides the opportunity to gain current knowledge, build competence, and ensure that safety remains on the front burner in every sector.”
He applauded the role of the media in raising awareness about safety, noting that the visibility provided by the media coverage is a critical part of public education and behavioural change.
According to him, the dissemination of safety knowledge through the media helps build a national culture where safety practices become second nature.
Dr. Udezi also revealed that ISPON is working closely with the National Assembly’s House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations to enforce compliance across workplaces.
He explained that the committee now conducts oversight visits to companies, assessing whether they have functional safety departments and whether safety officers are certified members of ISPON.
“That is where the ball starts rolling. If your safety personnel is not a registered member of ISPON, that’s a red flag. Being a member of ISPON is the minimum requirement for operating as a safety professional in Nigeria. The penalties for non-compliance are real.”
On the long-term vision for safety in Nigeria, the ISPON president predicted significant progress over the next five to ten years, if the current reform agenda is sustained.
He lamented the loss of a decade of regulatory momentum since 2014 but expressed optimism that the tide is beginning to turn.
He stressed that ridding the profession of unqualified practitioners and strengthening safety training standards are among the core strategies ISPON is pursuing. Plans are also underway to integrate safety education into Nigeria’s formal school curriculum, from primary to tertiary levels.
“Our goal is to make safety a way of life in Nigeria. If we continue to push for compliance, regulate safety training, and ensure that only qualified professionals are allowed to practice, we will see a measurable shift in the next decade”.
Speaking on the summit theme: “Safety Synergy: Advancing Leadership and Sustainability in Health, Safety, Security and Environment”, Chairman, ISPON Lagos Branch, Mr. Olushola Ogunleye stressed that safety is not the exclusive responsibility of designated officers or managers.
Instead, he said, it must be embraced as a leadership function at all levels of society from government to corporations, and even within families.
“Safety management without leadership is not safety. The tone of leadership is what determines the outcome of any safety program. Whether at the national, sub-national, corporate, or household level, effective and sustainable leadership is essential to creating safe environments.”
According to Ogunleye, the summit was rebranded to challenge old assumptions and inspire a more inclusive and visionary approach to safety leadership.
The theme for this year’s forum, he noted, emphasizes “safety synergy” as the pathway toward advancing leadership in health, safety, security, and environmental management.
He decried the fragmentation and siloed operations that often characterize safety efforts across sectors, arguing that a lack of collaboration continues to hinder progress.
True impact, he said, will only be achieved when stakeholders move beyond individual ambition and work collectively toward a shared safety vision.
“It’s not about personal glory. It’s about coming together to ensure collective safety. Only through collaboration, where everyone brings their strengths to the table, can we make lasting changes.”
On the importance of the induction, the ISPON Registrar, Mr. Ben Modebe noted that many of those being officially inducted had been operating in the safety space without formal recognition.
With their admission into ISPON, he explained, they are now recognized as legitimate professionals under the law, in line with the ISPON Act which clearly states that anyone practicing safety without being registered with the institute is in violation of national regulations.
“For many of the inductees, this is a career milestone. Until now, some of them may have been viewed as quacks. But with this induction, they become bona fide safety professionals, empowered to contribute to safer workplaces and national development.”
The summit drew participation from subject matter experts, industry leaders, and the 70 newly inducted members, all united in the pursuit of a safer and more responsible professional environment across Nigeria.
Reporting by Nosa Aituamen