Hon. Dr. Suleiman Abubakar Gumi, Chairman of the North West Development Commission and former Chairman of the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, reaffirmed his commitment to championing health and safety reforms across Nigeria in a compelling address at the 2025 NSAS Awards and Lecture held to mark the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Day of Safety and Health at Work.
Organized by the Board and Management of the Media Centre for Promotion of Safety Awareness (MCPOSA), publishers of Safety & Security Watch, this year’s event held on the 29th of April 2025 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Exhibition centre in Ikeja, under the theme “Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work”, gathered stakeholders across government and industry to explore modern solutions to workplace hazards and health risks.
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Gumi emphasized the transformative potential of technology in promoting safety compliance and efficiency in work environments.
“Governance is about protecting lives and the state. ISPON and other safety structures must be treated with the seriousness they deserve. With AI and digitalization, we can detect threats, predict hazards, and respond faster than ever before,” he noted.
During the event, Hon. Gumi was honoured with the NSAS Icon Award, in recognition of his unwavering dedication to safety reforms, resolution of institutional crises, and advancement of safety policies in Nigeria.
Reflecting on his impactful tenure as Chairman of the House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Hon. Gumi recounted strategic achievements within just seven months in office.
These included safety audits of over 16 organizations, development of multiple HSE manuals—most notably an Emergency Response Manual for the National Assembly—and execution of the Assembly’s first-ever fire drill, which led to realignment of its internal safety protocols.
He also addressed the decade-long leadership crisis within the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), describing it as one of the most pressing threats to standardized safety practices nationwide.
“Three factions were weakening the institution and its impact. Our committee facilitated a credible national AGM and election that has now been accepted by the National Assembly and other government agencies,” he said.
He criticized individuals like Timothy Iwuagwu for attempting to disrupt ISPON’s unification process, stressing that ISPON belongs to its members and must operate on a foundation of legality and professionalism.
Gumi’s vision for the future includes the passage of a landmark Safety Regulatory Board Bill, which has already passed its second reading in the House.
The proposed Board would unify safety standards across all sectors and amend the ISPON Act of 2014 to introduce new governance structures—including presidential appointment of ISPON’s head and sector-based representation on its governing board.
The legislative reforms, he said, aim to end ISPON’s recurring leadership issues and ensure that only certified safety professionals handle responsibilities across Nigerian industries.
The keynote speaker also revealed that many government agencies and institutions previously operated without basic safety infrastructure such as signage, fire extinguishers, or first aid kits.
His committee issued compliance warnings and deadlines, and notable improvements have since been recorded. He noted that NISTF (National Industrial Safety Trust Fund) revenue surged to over N4 billion through their oversight efforts.
“We focused on high-risk sectors like oil and gas, aviation, and maritime, ensuring safety consciousness is elevated and compliance enforced,” he added.
Now serving as Chairman of the newly created North West Development Commission, Hon. Gumi stated that his new role will build on the same values of protection, development, and institutional integrity.
Receiving the Icon Award on behalf of the organizers, Gumi expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his pledge: “This recognition is a call to do more. We will not relent until every workplace in Nigeria is safe, every professional is accountable, and every law upholds the sanctity of life and dignity of labour.”
The 2025 NSAS Awards/Lecture not only honoured exemplary service but also ignited a renewed national conversation on digitizing workplace safety and redefining the responsibilities of institutions like ISPON.
INN-HOUSE☆ 