Diaspora Connect: Safety Expert Calls For Partnerships To Curb Workplace Accidents In Nigeria

A leading international health and safety expert, Mr Olumide Adeolu, has urged Nigerian policymakers and corporate leaders to strengthen workplace safety standards, citing strict regulation and collaborative industry leadership as key to reducing occupational hazards.

Speaking on the interview programme Diaspora Connect, Mr Adeolu a former mechanical engineer who transitioned into operational health and safety—shared insights from his career across the UK and the Middle East, including senior roles in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Reflecting on his time aiding Qatar’s health and safety framework ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Mr Adeolu noted that developing nations can rapidly raise workplace standards by implementing enforceable legal frameworks and establishing dedicated labor inspectorates.

“It starts with the legal framework,” Mr Adeolu stated. “The key thing is to have standards in place and properly enforce them. Major industries must participate in setting these benchmarks and ensuring everyone is committed to them.”

Mr Adeolu highlighted the pivotal role of international professional bodies, such as the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), in driving cultural change.

He encouraged Nigerian professionals to align with global organizations to elevate local standards, suggesting that major sectors—such as Nigeria’s oil and gas industry—should take the lead in adopting and enforcing strict safety protocols across supply chains.

A UK-born professional who completed his secondary and higher education in Lagos, Mr Adeolu also reflected on his diaspora journey, attributing his career resilience to his upbringing and education in Nigeria before returning to the UK to pursue higher qualifications.