Building a Zero Harm Culture for Body and Mind in Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Sector

 

The School of Quality, Health, Safety, Security And Environmental Management (QHSSEM) of Nigerian Institute of Production Management (NIPM) recently played host to the officers of the Quality Assurance And Development (QAD) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in furtherance of professional education, training, development and certification.

 

Nigerian Institute of Production Management (NIPM) is a foremost provider of world-class professional education, training and certification programs in OHS and HSE in Nigeria.

Lagos, Nigeria – August 3 – 7, 2026

1.0 BACKGROUND 

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission – FCCPC is the apex regulatory agency under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment with the mandate to protect consumers, promote fair competition, and ensure that goods and services meet acceptable safety standards in Nigeria.

 

In line with its commitment to staff welfare, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence, the FCCPC partnered with the Nigerian Institute of Production Management – NIPM through its School of Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environmental Management – QHSSEM and the Society of Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management – SOHSEM to deliver a specialized training on Occupational Health and Safety – OHS.

 

The training was facilitated by Dr. Olaniyi Opanuga, PhD, MBA, MLS, CMSHEM, FNIPM, FIMC, CMC, FSOHSEM, President of SOHSEM and Dean, QHSSEM, NIPM.

2.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING  

The OHS training was designed to:

1. Provide Knowledge and Skills for effective practice of workplace safety across FCCPC offices and field operations.
2. Ensure Compliance with national HSE policy, Factories Act Cap F1 LFN 2004, and international best practices including ISO 45001:2018.
3. Build Safety Culture* that protects both the physical safety and mental well-being of FCCPC staff.
4. Reduce Operational Risks associated with office work, market surveillance, enforcement activities, and public engagements.
5. Align FCCPC Operations with the OSHA 7 Core Elements and the Federal Government’s commitment to Decent Work.

3.0 KEY AREAS COVERED  

The training adopted the NIPM SOHSEM 7 Pillars of OHS and was tailored to the FCCPC work environment. Key modules included:

1. Legal Framework and Compliance: Overview of the Factories Act, NESREA regulations, and FCCPC’s responsibility to model safety in the workplace.
2. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: Identifying office hazards such as ergonomics, electrical risks, slips and trips, and psychosocial hazards like work stress and fatigue during enforcement drives.
3. Emergency Preparedness and Response: Fire safety using PASS, evacuation procedures, first aid, and business continuity planning.
4. Personal Protective Equipment and Controls: Proper use of PPE during market raids, facility inspections, and product testing activities.
5. Mental Health and Well-being: Managing stress, preventing burnout, and promoting Employee Assistance Programs – EAP for staff in high-pressure regulatory roles.
6. Safety Leadership and Reporting: The role of management and staff in hazard reporting, incident investigation, and continual improvement using the PDCA cycle.
7. ISO 45001:2018 Awareness: Introduction to management system requirements for building a proactive safety culture within a public institution.

4.0 IMPORTANCE TO FCCPC’S MANDATE  

As the apex consumer protection agency, FCCPC is expected to lead by example. A safe and healthy workforce directly impacts the Commission’s ability to deliver on its mandate of protecting Nigerian consumers.

Key Benefits Highlighted:  

1. Legal Compliance: Meets obligations under Nigerian law and positions FCCPC as a model MDA.
2. Operational Efficiency: Reduces downtime, medical costs, and disruptions to enforcement activities.
3. Staff Morale: Shows that the Commission values its people and their well-being.
4. Public Trust: Reinforces FCCPC’s credibility when advocating for safety in products and services.

5.0 REMARKS 

Speaking during the training, Dr. Olaniyi Opanuga stated:

“If it is not safe, it is not professional production. If it is not safe, it is not an effective, efficient and sustainable service delivery. For an agency like FCCPC that protects Nigerians, your first responsibility is to protect yourselves. A Zero Harm culture for body and mind must start from within.”

 

He further commended the FCCPC Management for taking proactive steps to institutionalize OHS and expressed NIPM SOHSEM’s readiness to support the Commission with policy development, audits, and refresher training.

 

6.0 CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS  

The FCCPC – NIPM OHS Training marks a significant step toward embedding safety as a core value within the Commission.

Next Steps:  

1. Development of FCCPC-specific HSE Policy and Emergency Plan.
2. Appointment of HSE Focal Officers across departments.
3. Quarterly Toolbox Talks and Safety Inspections.
4. Rollout of Level 2 and Level 3 NIPM SOHSEM Certification for HSE Champions in FCCPC.

The partnership between FCCPC and NIPM reaffirms that worker safety is not by chance. It is by choice, by design, and by discipline.

For a safe workplace is sound business, and a healthy workforce is the foundation of effective public service.

 

For further information, please contact:  

Nigerian Institute of Production Management – NIPM

School of Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environmental Management – QHSSEM

Email: info@nipmnigeria.com.ng

 

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Society of Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management SOHSEM  

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