The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has raised concerns over the growing health risks facing Nigerian workers, warning that poor nutrition can significantly increase vulnerability to chemical hazards in workplaces and contribute to the burden of chronic diseases.
The organisation made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja during a one-day stakeholders’ meeting on the International Labour Organization (ILO) Chemical Hazards Convention Questionnaire Response, where experts examined strategies for strengthening chemical safety standards in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, GAIN’s Head of Policy, Advocacy and Communications, Mrs. Joyce Akpaka, said emerging evidence has established a two-way relationship between nutrition and chemical exposure, making workers’ nutritional wellbeing an important component of occupational safety and health.
According to her, while occupational safety has traditionally focused on preventing accidents and managing workplace hazards, growing research shows that nutritional status influences how the body responds to chemical exposure, while harmful chemicals can also affect nutrient absorption and overall health outcomes.
“Nutritional status can affect how the body responds to chemicals, while chemical exposures can also affect nutrient absorption, utilization and overall health outcomes. For Nigeria, this matters greatly because a healthy workforce is fundamental to productivity, economic growth and national development,” she said.
Akpaka stressed that as industries expand and workplaces become more complex, Nigeria must adopt holistic approaches that not only protect workers from chemical hazards but also support their overall health and wellbeing.
She commended the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for convening the consultation and ensuring broad stakeholder participation in the process.
“As we deliberate today, I encourage us to think not only about managing chemical risks, but also about how we can promote healthier, safer and more productive workplaces through integrated approaches that support the overall wellbeing of workers,” she said.
Further highlighting the issue, GAIN’s Senior Associate on Global Workforce Nutrition, during a presentation titled “The Connection Between Nutrition and Chemical Hazards,” revealed that research conducted by the organisation found strong links between malnutrition and increased susceptibility to chemical-related illnesses.
According to the presentation, workers can be exposed to hazardous chemicals through inhalation, ingestion of contaminated food and water, or skin contact, with the severity of health effects depending on the toxicity of the substance, duration of exposure and the individual’s health status.
The research found that chemical hazards are no longer limited to sectors such as mining but have become prevalent across manufacturing, construction, healthcare, food processing and other industries.
GAIN also warned that exposure to harmful chemicals contributes to the growing incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses, hypertension and diabetes.
The organisation noted that NCDs account for about 81 per cent of the estimated 1.9 million deaths recorded annually, making workplace chemical exposure a major public health concern.
Of particular concern, according to the findings, is the interaction between malnutrition and chemical exposure.
GAIN explained that workers with poor diets or nutrient deficiencies often have weakened immune systems, making them more vulnerable to the harmful effects of toxic substances.
The presentation cited iron deficiency as an example, noting that anaemic workers may be more susceptible to the accumulation of heavy metals in the body, increasing long-term health risks.
The organisation therefore called for workplace nutrition programmes to be integrated into occupational safety and health policies as part of broader efforts to reduce chemical-related illnesses and improve workforce productivity.
“The best way to protect workers is not only to respond to harm when it occurs, but to prevent it from happening,” Akpaka said.
The stakeholders’ meeting formed part of Nigeria’s contribution to the ongoing International Labour Organization review process aimed at developing stronger global standards for managing chemical hazards in the world of work.
