In a powerful call to action, a leading Nigerian safety consultancy has urged the federal government to prioritise the long-awaited Occupational Safety and Health Bill. The appeal came as the firm itself received a prestigious continental honour for its exemplary work.
A Continental Triumph for Nigerian Expertise
Finsbury Heinz Limited emerged as the winner of the AfriSAFE Auditing and Certification Company of the Year 2025 award. The honour was presented at the Africa Safety Award for Excellence gala in Mombasa, Kenya. The event gathered top quality, health, safety, environment, and sustainability (QHSE) professionals from across the continent.
The award followed a highly competitive selection process. Organisers reviewed nearly 12,000 entries from 34 African countries. A panel of assessors from Africa, Europe, and the United States conducted the rigorous evaluation.
Leadership Calls for Legal Backing for Safety
Seizing the moment of recognition, the Managing Consultant of Finsbury Heinz Limited, Jamiu Badmos, directed attention to a critical national issue. He called on the Nigerian government to give workplace safety reforms the urgency they deserve by finally signing the Occupational Safety and Health Bill into law.
Badmos argued that stronger legal backing and enforcement are non-negotiable for building a robust safety culture and reducing preventable workplace incidents. He linked economic growth directly to worker wellbeing.
"Africa cannot afford preventable workplace injuries," Badmos stated. "Policy, enforcement and leadership must work together to protect lives and ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of human wellbeing."
Recognition for "Safetainability" and Continental Impact
The award was presented by Elizabeth Lungu-Nkumbula, President of the Africa Vision Zero Network. She praised Finsbury Heinz for its consistency and for integrating safety and sustainability into its core operations. She specifically acknowledged Badmos's contribution to advancing safety management systems and building professional capacity across Africa.
In his remarks, Femi Da Silva, Chief Executive Officer of AfriSAFE, highlighted the intensity of the competition. He noted that being shortlisted was a significant achievement, making Finsbury Heinz's victory a testament to the depth and impact of its work.
Badmos dedicated the award to the concept of "safetainability," a framework he pioneered. It merges safety and sustainability into a single, core operational focus for organisations. He described the award as reinforcing the need to sustain momentum in creating safer workplaces continent-wide.
Industry stakeholders at the event agreed that such awards set higher benchmarks. They reflect rising expectations for safety standards as African businesses face increasing scrutiny from regulators, investors, and employees themselves.
