NECA workplace mental health call urges employers and policymakers to strengthen psychosocial work environments for productivity and wellbeing

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called on employers, policymakers and other key stakeholders to intensify efforts towards building and sustaining healthy psychosocial work environments as a vital pathway to improved productivity, employee wellbeing and organisational resilience.

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The appeal was made by NECA Director-General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, in commemoration of the 2026 World Day for Safety and Health at Work, themed: “Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organisations.”

Mr Oyerinde said the theme underscores the increasing importance of mental and emotional wellbeing in the workplace, stressing that occupational safety must now be viewed through a broader and more holistic lens.

He noted that organisations across various sectors are gradually recognising that workplace wellbeing goes beyond physical safety, describing psychosocial health as a key driver of performance and long-term sustainability.

According to him, a healthy psychosocial work environment where employees feel valued, supported and able to function optimally is essential for organisational effectiveness.

While acknowledging progress in workplace safety practices, he said sustained and collective action is still required to further strengthen psychosocial conditions in line with global labour standards, including guidance from the International Labour Organization.

Mr Oyerinde emphasised that psychosocial wellbeing is shaped by how work is structured, managed and experienced, urging stakeholders to adopt deliberate and intentional strategies to improve workplace environments.

He highlighted clear job roles, manageable workloads, supportive leadership, open communication and work-life balance policies as key measures that can significantly enhance employee wellbeing.

“Creating healthy psychosocial work environments requires deliberate and continuous effort. Employers, in particular, play a pivotal role by embedding supportive systems and fostering workplace cultures rooted in trust, respect, and fairness,” he stated.

He further stressed the importance of strong institutional frameworks, including counselling services, employee engagement systems and transparent organisational policies that support staff wellbeing.

The NECA Director-General also referenced the NSITF–NECA Safe Workplace Intervention Project as an example of proactive measures aimed at improving occupational safety and health across workplaces.

The initiative, developed in partnership with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, builds on the Employees’ Compensation Scheme but places greater emphasis on prevention rather than response to workplace incidents.

He explained that prevention remains the most effective approach to workplace safety, noting that NECA has expanded its focus to include psychosocial risks alongside physical hazards.

Through the SWIP initiative, NECA and NSITF have supported organisations with risk assessments, stakeholder engagement and the promotion of safety standards across sectors.

Looking ahead, NECA urged stakeholders to integrate psychosocial risk management into existing safety frameworks to ensure a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to employee wellbeing.

As part of activities marking the 2026 commemoration, NECA will host a knowledge-sharing session on April 30, 2026, themed “From compliance to commitment: Building sustainable safety cultures at work.”

The session is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange insights, share best practices and reinforce commitment to safer and healthier workplaces.

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NECA reiterated its call for collaborative action among employers, government institutions and social partners to build work environments that not only enhance productivity but also uphold the dignity, wellbeing and full potential of every worker.