The House of Representatives has moved to establish dedicated budget line for workplace safety in MDAs
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to create a dedicated budget line for occupational safety and health (OSH) programmes across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) beginning with the 2026 appropriation bill.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Rep. David Zacharias (APC, Kogi), during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Moving the motion, Rep. Zacharias expressed concern over the rising cases of workplace accidents and occupational hazards in the public sector, attributing it to the absence of a specific budgetary provision for safety and health programmes.
According to him, “The increasing rate of workplace accidents and occupational hazards across MDAs is due to inadequate prioritisation and the absence of a distinct budget line for occupational safety and health programmes and activities. This has, over the years, undermined the implementation of safety standards and national policy, resulting in poor compliance, workplace injuries, and fatalities in the public sector.”
He recalled that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation had, on June 7, 2022, issued a circular mandating the establishment of OSH desks in all MDAs to facilitate the implementation of relevant policies.
“The Head of Service, through a circular with reference number HCSF/3065/Vol.1/110, directed all MDAs to establish Occupational Safety and Health Desks to ensure compliance with safety guidelines and standards. However, the lack of a dedicated funding line continues to limit effective execution,” Rep. Zacharias added.
The lawmaker cited Section 17(3)(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which obliges the state to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all persons in employment. He also noted that Nigeria has ratified key International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 155 and 187, which require member states to provide systematic frameworks and adequate financial resources for workplace safety and wellbeing.
Zacharia warned that the existing envelope budgeting system undermines productivity and exposes workers to avoidable risks.
“The failure to create a dedicated budget line for occupational safety and health undermines workforce productivity, hinders employee welfare, and contradicts Nigeria’s international obligations to promote safe and decent work in alignment with the ILO standards and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 8,” he stated.
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Adopting the motion, the House urged the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to immediately provide a specific budget line for OSH in all MDAs.
The House also mandated its Committees on Safety Standards and Regulations, Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and Appropriations to liaise with the relevant agencies to ensure implementation and strict oversight of the new budgetary provision.
The motion was unanimously adopted by the House.
