SOEHPON Issues Communiqué at 2025 Annual Conference, Calls for Stronger Occupational and Environmental Health Policies

National Secretariat: 1B Muri Okunola, Victoria Island, Lagos
Phone: 08060133388, Email: info@soehpon.com

INTRODUCTION:

The 2025 Annual Conference of the Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON) comprised both a Pre-Conference Workshop and the Main Conference, during which a total of 24 scientific papers were presented.

The Pre-Conference Workshop featured a worksite visit to the Eko Atlantic Construction Project Site, Victoria Island, Lagos State, alongside hands-on practical skill sessions.

READ MORE: Occupational Health: SOEHPON Pushes For Global Standards In Nigeria

Participants unanimously affirmed that advancing Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH) practices remains critical in protecting the Nigerian workforce, especially in the face of emerging climate-related challenges and evolving work trends.

CONFERENCE COMMUNIQUÉ

1. SOEHPON reaffirms its commitment to sustained advocacy and promotion of Occupational and Environmental Health Practices and behaviours in Nigeria.
2. Reaffirms commitment to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Labour, Federal and State Ministries of Health, NSITF, NHIS, media organizations, NIMET, academia, and other relevant stakeholders for improved data collection on occupational disease patterns and enhanced national surveillance.
3. SOEHPON call on NSITF, NHIS, and private health insurance providers to expand their coverage to accommodate both current and future occupational health needs, with particular focus on artisans and the informal sector.
4. Increase partnership with NIMET and the media to intensify sensitization of at-risk occupational groups on emerging climate-related hazards, particularly heat stress associated with new heatwave patterns.
5. Call on Occupational & Environmental Health practitioners to adopt innovative digital technologies and resources to enhance practice efficiency, data collation, research output, and surveillance systems.
6. Delegates, noting the rising incidences of mental ill-health in workplaces – often linked to substance abuse, strongly recommend to all Labour Employers for implementation, the Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and other mental health intervention frameworks.
7. Call on the National Assembly to expedite action and ensure passage of the outstanding Bill on Occupational Health, Safety and worker wellbeing (OHS) into an Act of the National Assembly. When signed into Law, should be supported with appropriate structures that will guide, monitor and ensure compliance as key driver to strengthen occupational health best practices nationwide.
8. Call on corporate organizations to support research in Occupational and Environmental Health in Nigeria as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
9. SOEHPON will continue to enhance capacity across all medical and specialties and other Occupational Health service providers through continuous training, education, and research aligned with global best practices.
10. Call on Governments at both National and Sub-National levels to partner with SOEHPON for seamless professional monitoring of the environment, early intervention activities to mitigate work-related environmental challenges
11. Commits to expand its international collaborations to further strengthen Occupational and Environmental Health advancements within Nigeria.

For and on behalf: SOEHPON National Executive Committee                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 DR.MUSA SHAIBU                                 DR. AYO AGBOOLA

National President, SOEHPON                      National Secretary, SOEHPON