The Environment and Safety Management Institute (ESMI) has called for the full and holistic implementation of Nigeria’s safety laws and environmental regulations, insisting that doing so is critical to achieving sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the Institute’s Sixteenth Induction Ceremony on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos, the National President, Dr. Martin Iorsamber, noted that Nigeria possesses one of the most comprehensive safety legal frameworks in Africa. However, he lamented that the country still falls short in ensuring safer cities, workplaces and industrial environments.
Dr. Iorsamber described this year’s theme, “Environmental Safety and Economic Development in Nigeria,” as both timely and strategic, stressing that Nigeria’s development goals cannot be achieved without prioritising environmental protection and safety management.
He Identified several factors shaping the modern environmental safety landscape, including rapid urbanisation, climate-related risks, industrial expansion and increasing waste-management challenges. He added that these realities demand stronger enforcement, improved regulatory oversight and more investment in safety infrastructure.
The ESMI President also called for increased promotion of innovation-driven solutions, especially in renewable energy, sustainable waste management and green jobs, arguing that such emerging sectors hold significant potential for job creation and long-term economic stability.
Dr. Iorsamber emphasised that investor confidence thrives in environments where safety is guaranteed. He encouraged government agencies and private-sector operators to adopt global best practices in regulation, workplace safety, environmental auditing and sustainable production.
In her remarks, the Registrar of the Institute, Evelyn Agu, urged the inductees to serve as model ambassadors of safety wherever they work. She charged them to uphold the Institute’s values and contribute to national development by embedding safety consciousness in everyday decision-making.
A total of forty-five associates, ten full members and eight fellows were formally inducted during the ceremony, marking a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s environmental and safety management workforce.