The Medical Examining Board of Liverpool Infirmary in
1789 was the first to introduce occupational health service with a view of
taking care of the health of slave traders carrying slaves from Africa to Britain.
Upon the abolition of slave trade, the Royal Niger Company of Britain which was
later change to United African Company (UAC) increased its exploitation of
trading in Nigeria. The company was empowered to administer the territories by
the British Government.
1789 was the first to introduce occupational health service with a view of
taking care of the health of slave traders carrying slaves from Africa to Britain.
Upon the abolition of slave trade, the Royal Niger Company of Britain which was
later change to United African Company (UAC) increased its exploitation of
trading in Nigeria. The company was empowered to administer the territories by
the British Government.
During the British colonial rule, Colonel Lugard
established health services to take care of the health and welfare of soldiers
and other colonial administrators after many of the expatriate soldiers died of
malaria. The Public Health Service was created during the Second World War
after the medical corps was separated to cater for the military alone. This
gave birth to the introduction of some occupational services in some industries
in Nigeria which include pre-employment and periodic medical examination and
treatment of major injuries and ailments.
established health services to take care of the health and welfare of soldiers
and other colonial administrators after many of the expatriate soldiers died of
malaria. The Public Health Service was created during the Second World War
after the medical corps was separated to cater for the military alone. This
gave birth to the introduction of some occupational services in some industries
in Nigeria which include pre-employment and periodic medical examination and
treatment of major injuries and ailments.
United African Company and John Holt (British
companies) were the first to introduce the practices of occupational health in
Nigeria. In 1930, Railway, Coal Mines and some other government establishments
provided some forms of occupational health services to their workers. This gave
birth to the promulgation of some labour legislation such as the Workman’s
Compensations Ordinance of 1941 and the Labour Core Ordinance of 1945. The
Labours Ordinances(s) were later replaced by Workman’s Compensation Decree in
1987 and Labour Decree of 1974 respectively.
companies) were the first to introduce the practices of occupational health in
Nigeria. In 1930, Railway, Coal Mines and some other government establishments
provided some forms of occupational health services to their workers. This gave
birth to the promulgation of some labour legislation such as the Workman’s
Compensations Ordinance of 1941 and the Labour Core Ordinance of 1945. The
Labours Ordinances(s) were later replaced by Workman’s Compensation Decree in
1987 and Labour Decree of 1974 respectively.
The Ministry of Labour was created in 1951 with Mr.
P.R.G. Britnell as the Chief Inspector of Factories in Nigeria. In 1955, the
Factory Act was enacted and amended in 1958 and was later replaced by the
factory Decree of 1987. In 1968, the first Nigerian professor of Occupational
Health Dr. G. O. Sofoluwe organised the first international seminar in
occupational health for developing countries in Lagos. In 1970s the society of
occupational health physicians of Nigeria was created while the division of
Occupational and Environmental Health was created in 1976 by the Federal
Ministry of Health.
P.R.G. Britnell as the Chief Inspector of Factories in Nigeria. In 1955, the
Factory Act was enacted and amended in 1958 and was later replaced by the
factory Decree of 1987. In 1968, the first Nigerian professor of Occupational
Health Dr. G. O. Sofoluwe organised the first international seminar in
occupational health for developing countries in Lagos. In 1970s the society of
occupational health physicians of Nigeria was created while the division of
Occupational and Environmental Health was created in 1976 by the Federal
Ministry of Health.
