Medbury Healthcare has called for greater commitment to advancing a holistic approach to workplace safety by placing psychosocial wellbeing at the centre of organisational performance. The event, held in collaboration with British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) on April 28 at BATN’s Ibadan factory, aligned with this year’s global theme, “Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organizations.” The session further reinforced BATN’s belief that employee wellbeing extends beyond physical safety to include mental health, emotional resilience, and a supportive workplace culture.
Expert Insights on Mental and Physical Health Link
Speaking at the session, the Med-Advisory Manager and ICM Operations Manager at Medbury Healthcare, Dr. Uba Onyenefa, emphasised the critical link between mental and physical health. He noted that unmanaged stress can manifest in physical conditions such as insomnia, chronic headaches, and musculoskeletal disorders. Led globally by the International Labour Organization, the 2026 campaign spotlights the importance of managing workplace stress, preventing harassment, and fostering environments where employees can thrive.
In line with this, BATN convened an interactive session bringing together employees and senior leaders to drive awareness, encourage open dialogue, and promote practical solutions for addressing mental health and well-being risks in the workplace.
Panel Discussion Highlights
A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring senior operational and health leaders, including Waqas Khan, Manufacturing Manager; Dele Alabi, Head of Supply Chain; Monisola Adebayo, Senior HR Business Partner, Operations; and Dr. Uba Onyenefa, Medical Advisory Manager/ICM Operations Manager. The session provided actionable insights into identifying and managing employee mental health hazards such as work-related stress, burnout, and ineffective communication, factors that, if left unaddressed, can impact productivity, safety, and overall employee well-being.
Speaking on the realities of operating in a high-performance manufacturing environment, Waqas Khan, Manufacturing Manager, emphasised the importance of realistic planning and transparent communication. He noted that setting achievable timelines and fostering open dialogue between employees and line managers are critical to reducing workplace pressure and building trust.
The discussion also highlighted the necessity of emotional intelligence in managing the high-pressure environment of manufacturing, with Dele Alabi, Head of Supply Chain, noting that self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation are critical leadership qualities required to deal with pressures like production deadlines or equipment breakdowns without passing stress down to the team destructively. Furthermore, he emphasised that, by treating others with respect and considering perspectives before making decisions, leadership can move away from intimidating leadership toward a supportive model where employees feel safe to speak up about risks without fear of retaliation.
Area Head of Talent & Engagement, Sub-Saharan Africa, Monisola Adebayo, reinforced the need for clarity in roles and expectations, noting that uncertainty often translates into pressure. She emphasised that creating a psychologically safe workplace is a shared responsibility and encouraged employees to actively engage with performance management processes, seek feedback, and leverage available support systems to manage workload effectively.
Providing a clinical perspective, Med-Advisory Manager/ICM Operations Manager, Dr. Uba Onyenefa, explained that unmanaged stress can manifest in physical symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, and musculoskeletal discomfort. He reiterated the availability of BAT Nigeria’s Employee Assistance Programme, a confidential support platform that offers employees access to professional mental health resources for both work-related and personal challenges.
Commitment to People-Centred ESG Principles
A central message that resonated throughout the event was that building a safe and healthy workplace requires a comprehensive approach. BAT Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to embedding people-centred ESG principles across its operations, ensuring employees are supported not only in terms of physical safety but also in their mental and emotional wellbeing. The session closed with a powerful reflection of BAT Nigeria’s workplace philosophy: “Silence increases risk. Conversations create solutions.” By placing equal emphasis on mental health, employee wellbeing and physical safety, BAT Nigeria continues to foster a resilient, inclusive, and high-performing environment where its people can truly thrive.
