International labour standards

Nigeria ratifies ILO conventions on occupational safety and health and on violence and harassment in the world of work

Nigeria is the 29th country to ratify the Convention No. 187 promoting safe and healthy working environment and the 22nd to ratify the ILO Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work.

News | 08 November 2022
On 8 November 2022, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria deposited with the Director-General of the ILO the instruments of ratification of the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) and the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190).

In depositing the instruments of ratification, the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Sen. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, stated: “The deposit of these two ratified conventions today is historic. It is the first time in the history of the current administration in Nigeria to ratify two conventions within a year, one fundamental convention, C.187, and one technical Convention, C.190. The step shows our shared commitment to give Africa’s largest work force the priority attention it deserves.”

In receiving the instruments of ratification, Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, welcomed these important ratifications, declaring that: “Convention No. 187 is one of the key instruments in the field of occupational safety and health and one of the two OSH conventions that have been added this year to the category of instruments in the area of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. It calls on member States to take specific measures, in consultation with the social partners, towards the progressive achievement of a safe and healthy working environment through the development of a national policy, a national system and a national programme on occupational safety and health.” By ratifying Convention No. 187, Nigeria is confirming its commitment to the objective of improving occupational safety and health in a continuous and sustainable manner”.

“As regards Convention No. 190, it is the first international treaty to address violence and harassment in the world of work. It includes the first international definition of violence and harassment in the world of work, including but not limited to gender-based violence, and applies to the public and private sectors, formal and informal economies, and urban and rural areas. It recognizes the different and complementary roles and functions of governments, employers and workers and their respective organizations, taking into account the varying nature and extent of their responsibilities. By submitting the instrument of ratification, Nigeria becomes the 22nd country in the world, and the 6th African country, to ratify Convention No. 190.”

To date, Nigeria has ratified 42 Conventions. For further information, see NORMLEX.