Understanding the regulatory activities of the health and safety regulator in Nigeria

The lack of health and safety (H&S) regulation in Nigeria is one of the main factors blamed for the challenging state of H&S in Nigeria. This highlights the activities of the custodian of H&S, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity Inspectorate Division (LPID). This study examined the regulatory activities of LPID and developed a content framework of recommendations for improving the regulation of H&S in Nigeria. The work includes a review of literature and analysis of documents collected from the LPID in addition to interviewing 14 members of staff of LPID. The results reveal that the regulatory activities of LPID are based on deterrence theory. These activities such as the accident reporting and post-accident investigation procedures, proactive measures are evidenced as poor, adducing the position of the critics of LPID. Albeit, factors such as logistics, political influence, and inadequate legislation may hinder the regulatory activities of LPID, LPID can do more to improve the regulatory activities. It is thus recommended that while LPID sparingly engages in negative publicity as a means of reputation management, positive publicity strategies are worth adopting.