Labour Ministry Inaugurates Diving Board to Strengthen Safety, Protect Workers
Oru Leonard
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has inaugurated the Diving Governing Board to strengthen regulatory oversight, enforce safety standards and protect workers involved in commercial diving operations across Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The inauguration, held in Abuja on October 21, 2026, is expected to enhance the implementation of the Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018, and address persistent safety challenges associated with offshore, inshore and inland water diving activities.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, described the inauguration as a major step towards improving safety standards and closing regulatory gaps in Nigeria’s commercial diving industry.
He noted that the growing scale of maritime activities, oil and gas exploration, port development and underwater engineering had made the protection of commercial divers increasingly important to the country’s economic and industrial development.
According to the minister, the expansion of Nigeria’s blue economy has elevated the safety and welfare of commercial divers to a national priority requiring effective regulation and strict compliance with established standards.
Dingyadi observed that commercial diving remains one of the most hazardous industrial occupations, with workers exposed to significant risks arising from inadequate regulation, inconsistent standards and unsafe operational practices.
He stressed that the existence of safety regulations alone was insufficient without a functional institution to ensure their effective implementation.
The minister therefore charged members of the newly inaugurated board to enforce strict compliance with the Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018, insisting that diving projects must not commence without the necessary medical fitness certification, approved operational plans and qualified personnel.
He also called for stronger collaboration with recognised training institutions, including the Nigerian Navy Diving School and accredited civilian training centres, to establish transparent certification procedures for commercial divers.
According to him, the initiative would help address concerns over the use of unverified foreign qualifications and ensure that only appropriately trained and certified personnel participate in diving operations.
Dingyadi further directed the board to establish a transparent register of approved diving contractors, supervisors, instructors and medical examiners to eliminate unqualified operators and promote accountability across the sector.
He reminded members that their responsibilities extended beyond administrative and regulatory duties to the protection of human lives.
“You carry the heavy responsibility of ensuring that every diver goes to work and returns home safely to their families,” the minister said.
He assured the board of the ministry’s administrative and logistical support, urging members to establish clear operational guidelines and ensure the consistent enforcement of safety requirements.
“We expect you to hit the ground running, institute transparent operating guidelines, and restore absolute discipline and safety to the nation’s commercial diving sector,” he added.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Kamil A. Shoretire, described the inauguration as a critical step towards ensuring the effective implementation and enforcement of the diving regulations.
Shoretire explained that the Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018, were developed as subsidiary legislation under the Factories Act, Cap F1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to address emerging occupational safety challenges and strengthen protection for workers in high-risk environments.
He said the ministry had continued to discharge its statutory responsibilities for occupational safety, health and welfare through the enforcement of the Factories Act and its subsidiary regulations, alongside advocacy, stakeholder engagement and other awareness initiatives.
The permanent secretary noted that advances in science and technology had significantly transformed workplace machinery, equipment, materials and operational procedures, creating new occupational hazards that required appropriate regulatory responses.
He explained that Section 49 of the Factories Act empowers the minister to issue additional regulations when necessary to safeguard the safety, health and welfare of workers.
Shoretire emphasised that compliance with the diving regulations was essential to preventing accidents, injuries and fatalities associated with underwater operations.
He warned that diving activities, particularly those conducted in confined spaces and other hazardous environments, required strict adherence to prescribed safety procedures to prevent occupational illnesses, loss of life and damage to equipment and facilities.
The permanent secretary consequently urged employers, contractors and other stakeholders to comply fully with the regulations, noting that effective enforcement would improve workplace safety and reduce the risks associated with commercial diving.
The Diving Governing Board is expected to provide strategic oversight for the implementation of the regulations, promote standardised training and certification, and strengthen compliance with safety requirements across Nigeria’s commercial diving industry.
The board will be chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil A. Shoretire.
Vover Photos Caption: Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, 5th left; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment and Chairman Governing Board, Dr Kamil Shoretire 4th right and other members of Diving Governing Board of Nigeria, during the inauguration in Abuja.
