…..warns against illegal safety practice, calls for registration
The President of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Chief Steven Udezi, has reiterated the importance of collaboration in the quest to strengthen safety standards across Nigeria.
He called on all safety practitioners and organizations to align their activities with the national regulatory framework enshrined in the ISPON Act of 2014.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos, organized by the Lagos branch of ISPON, Chief Udezi reminded participants that while the Institute only secured its legal mandate through government legislation in 2014, ISPON has been actively championing safety advocacy since its founding in 1980.
The Act, he emphasized, provides the legal foundation for ISPON to regulate safety practices nationwide, ensuring that safety standards remain consistent, credible, and globally competitive.
The ISPON president addressed the growing number of organizations operating under various safety banners across the country, stressing that ISPON’s doors remain open to all legitimate practitioners seeking to contribute to national safety objectives.
However, he maintained that such organizations must subject their training curricula, standards, and operational procedures to ISPON’s scrutiny to ensure they meet established guidelines.
Only after thorough evaluation, he noted, would certifications, renewable on a periodic basis be issued to guarantee that safety professionals and institutions uphold the integrity of the profession.
“The ISPON Act is very clear, anyone practicing safety professionally in Nigeria must be registered with ISPON. Operating outside this framework constitutes illegal practice, and the law prescribes penalties ranging from substantial fines to imprisonment for both individuals and corporate bodies.”
Highlighting the institute’s ongoing efforts to deepen its reach, Chief Udezi shared that ISPON has been actively conducting elections to strengthen its state branches, with over 14 branches already revitalized.
He described the meeting as a critical platform for open dialogue between ISPON and its stakeholders, providing an opportunity for practitioners to share challenges, propose solutions, and collectively shape the future of safety practice in Nigeria.
Chief Udezi also made a passionate appeal to media organizations to amplify ISPON’s voice, noting that increased visibility is crucial as the country continues to grapple with preventable accidents across various sectors.
“In a country where safety lapses too often make headlines, it is unacceptable for ISPON to be sidelined in conversations about accident investigations and safety improvements”.
“Our membership cuts across diverse fields, from medical doctors to architects, military personnel to engineers, making ISPON uniquely positioned to offer multidisciplinary expertise wherever safety is concerned,” he stressed.
While acknowledging the impressive turnout at the event, the ISPON president expressed hope for even greater participation, emphasizing that forums like this offer invaluable knowledge-sharing opportunities that can significantly enhance capacity across industries.
“We have some of the best safety minds in the country present here today. This is free knowledge that should be tapped into by all serious practitioners.”
He reaffirmed ISPON’s commitment to working with all stakeholders, promising that the Institute will continue to serve as a central hub for safety excellence in Nigeria, fostering collaboration, setting high standards, and ensuring that the safety profession maintains its integrity and relevance.
