Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Agege Branch has called for increased investment in training and research for long-term impact of digital technologies and upskilling to promote safer workplace.

According to the branch, this is essential in reducing work-related contingencies such as injuries, occupational diseases, and fatalities.

The organisation also advocated a healthy approach to digitalisation, emphasising the need to strengthen Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) regulations to address emerging risks. It urged all stakeholders to unite in protecting workers’ rights and safety in the evolving digital workspace.

The call was made as the branch joined the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to commemorate the 2025 World Day for Safety and Health at Work in Nigeria, themed: “Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work.”

The NSITF Agege Branch Manager, Kia Erebi, noted that the organisation is responsible for implementing the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) 2010, stressing that health and safety are critical components of the ECS, aimed at ensuring employees’ welfare is not compromised by employers.

She cited Section 1(f) of the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA), which calls for “combined efforts and resources of relevant stakeholders for the prevention of workplace disabilities, including the enforcement of occupational safety and health standards.”

Erebi highlighted that digitalisation is transforming workplaces through innovative technologies that improve occupational health and safety, while also introducing new challenges.

She said these challenges, which affect work environments, vary across countries, and are reshaping the employment landscape.

“Conversely, digitalisation presents unique opportunities to enhance workplace safety, as automation and smart monitoring systems can reduce exposure to hazards, prevent injuries, and improve working conditions,” she added.

Also speaking, the Principal Manager, HSE, Abanise Omoyemi, reiterated NSITF’s pivotal role in promoting safety and health in the workplace at both national and international levels.

He explained that the branch organised a roadshow to mark the global event, using not only English but also Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, and Pidgin languages to ensure effective public enlightenment.

According to him, this multilingual communication approach was adopted to spread the message to the grassroots, as health and safety require the active participation of all stakeholders.