By Matilda Ikediobi

Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, ISPON, has called for its formal inclusion in accident investigations across the country, saying the move would help strengthen safety standards and reduce recurring accidents nationwide.

The institute, while lamenting the rising rate of accidents in the country, attributed the trend to weak investigative systems and urged authorities to adopt a more structured and professional approach that includes certified ISPON members in accident investigation processes.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos as part of activities marking the 2026 ISPON Day celebration and the 12th anniversary of the ISPON Act 2014 in Warri, Delta State, on Friday, President of Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, Dr Stephen Udezi, said the lack of reliable accident data remained a major challenge affecting effective safety investigation and prevention in Nigeria.

According to him, poor data reporting continues to hinder proper follow-up on incidents.

He said: “We all know we lack accurate data in this country. If there are no data, how can proper follow-up on accident investigation be done? I have asked that ISPON be included in almost all the accident investigations in this country. Let us join you, let us show them what we can do and how we can be of help. Also, I urge Nigerians to please report either a small accident or a big accident. There is no need to hide it because from that particular accident investigation that you have reported, we can look into the cause and take lessons from there to prevent further occurrence. We have also decided to collaborate with agencies of government and institutions of higher learning to propagate safety in this country.”

While lamenting that many accident investigations were currently carried out by individuals who lacked the necessary expertise and understanding of proper investigative procedures, he said: “Accident investigations are done by people who do not know what they are going to be doing during accident investigation.”

Udezi also called for stronger integration of safety education into Nigeria’s academic system, commending institutions such as the University of Port Harcourt and the Federal University of Technology for advancing safety training.

He, however, urged the establishment of more safety education centres across the country to deepen professional capacity.

He said: “I think safety should be in four institutions in the North, four institutions in the South, four in the West and four in the East. I am not speaking minimally. That is the way I think it should actually run in this country. We should put safety into the curriculum of what we teach Nigerian children, and catch them young.”

On the forthcoming ISPON Day celebration, he said: “People should expect celebration and merriment. However, we will bring some technical sessions into the celebration. We have a safety theme for this year’s ISPON day, which states: Health and Safety Management in Nigeria: Prospects and Retrospects. We want to look at how we are faring in this country. We intend to delve into so many aspects of safety in this country and seek measures through which we can get citizens on board.”