NECA Demands Better Mental Health at Work
Nigeria’s premier employers’ body wants a shift from physical safety to mental well-being in the workplace. The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) insists that productivity depends on healthy psychosocial environments. Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde made this call to mark the 2026 World Day for Safety and Health at Work. He argues that a worker who feels valued is more resilient than one who simply avoids physical injury. The association believes that mental health is now a core economic driver. Long-term sustainability requires a more holistic approach to occupational health.
Workplace well-being in Nigeria has often stopped at hard hats and boots. NECA wants to change this by focusing on how work is structured and managed. Oyerinde identifies clear job roles and manageable workloads as essential tools for growth. Supportive leadership and open communication must replace the rigid hierarchies common in many firms. Policies that promote work-life balance are no longer luxuries for the elite. They are necessities for any organisation that wishes to survive. Intentional strategies are needed to build cultures rooted in trust.
The association points to global standards set by the International Labour Organisation as the new benchmark. Many Nigerian organisations still lack the capacity to safeguard the emotional health of their staff. Oyerinde notes that progress exists but remains too slow for the modern world. He urges stakeholders to adopt supportive systems that foster respect and fairness. This is not just about being kind to staff. It is about ensuring that businesses can perform optimally under pressure. A stressed workforce is an inefficient one.
Institutional frameworks must expand to include access to professional counselling services. NECA is pushing for stronger employee engagement mechanisms and transparent policies. These tools help workers navigate the complexities of the digital economy. The Director-General referenced the Safe Workplace Intervention Project as a model for this shift. This initiative is a joint effort with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund. It moves the focus from compensating victims to preventing the harm in the first place. Prevention remains the most effective way to manage workplace risk.
The current compensation scheme serves as a safety net for physical accidents. However, NECA wants to broaden this scope to address modern psychosocial risks. Financial support after an incident is useful, but it does not fix a toxic culture. The association encourages all employers to integrate risk management into their safety frameworks. This creates a more comprehensive approach to the dignity of the worker. A sustainable safety culture requires commitment rather than mere compliance with the law. Building these environments is a collective task for government and private partners.
To drive this home, NECA is hosting a knowledge-sharing session for industry leaders. The event aims to turn insights into practical workplace changes across the country. Stakeholders will exchange best practices on how to move beyond basic safety rules. Every worker deserves an environment that supports their full potential and well-being. Productivity is the natural byproduct of a workforce that is not burning out. Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the hidden costs of workplace stress. The future of work is as much about the mind as it is about the machine.