Themed “Revolutionizing Safety and Health: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work,” the event featured a road walk organized by NSITF’s Lagos Island and Lagos Central Regions, signaling a visible commitment to transforming workplace safety through innovation.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Akinyemi Idowu, Regional Manager for NSITF Lagos Island Region, emphasized the Fund’s strategic shift from reactive compensation to proactive prevention.
“Prevention is the new frontier,” said Idowu. “We are no longer just waiting to pay compensation after workers suffer injuries or fatalities. Our mission now is to stop these accidents before they happen, and technology—especially AI—is a game-changer in that process.”
Idowu highlighted the potential of AI-powered hazard detection systems, real-time risk assessment tools, wearable safety tech, and robotic automation in significantly reducing occupational hazards, particularly in both the formal and informal sectors where oversight can be limited.
Echoing this message, Mrs. Clement-Esene Florence, Branch Manager of NSITF Lagos Central, underlined the Fund’s leadership role in advancing digital solutions for hazard identification and safety education. She stressed that technology must be accompanied by adequate training to ensure its effectiveness.
“Technology must go hand-in-hand with education,” she said. “We are not just deploying gadgets; we are training people—employers, workers, safety officers—to understand, operate, and benefit from these digital systems.”
Mrs. Clement-Esene also pointed to Section 1F of the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA) as the legal basis for the Fund’s preventive efforts, which mandates NSITF to collaborate with stakeholders to minimize risks through education, advocacy, and policy development.
The NSITF’s campaign reflects global trends as institutions around the world turn to digital innovation to enhance workplace safety. By placing AI and digitalization at the heart of its strategy, the Fund aims not only to curb workplace accidents but also to foster a safety-first culture that is adaptive, efficient, and future-ready.