Business analyst and workplace safety advocate, Prisca Amajuoyi, has called for an urgent ergonomic revolution in Nigeria's workplace.
Speaking at a media briefing held yesterday, she asserted the need to redefine workplace safety, emphasising ergonomics, mental health and work-life balance as critical pillars for protecting workers and boosting productivity.
Amajuoyi warned that as hybrid and remote work arrangements expand, a silent crisis of ergonomic injuries is emerging.
"Don't let your desk be the weapon of mass destruction against your spine," she cautioned, stressing that prolonged hours, poor workstation setups and digital strain are driving preventable health conditions.
She explained that workplace efficiency must be seen in broader terms. "Process optimisation is not just about speed or cost; It is also about human health. An organisation that ignores that balance is not truly efficient."
Her advocacy draws from her background as a business analyst and process owner, where she develops human-centered strategies combining digital tools, employee surveys and workflow redesign to reduce fatigue and injury.
She has also earned recognition with an award for outstanding performance in safety and ergonomic management at JustITWorld, Nigeria.
In addition to her professional experience, Amajuoyi has also contributed to research on workplace health. In 2024, she co-authored a study titled, Utilising Machine Learning to Predict Employee Turnover in High-Stress Sectors, which demonstrated how predictive analytics can identify early signs of stress and disengagement before they result in burnout or resignations.
Lending validity to her concerns, the World Health Organisation has repeatedly warned that musculoskeletal disorders linked to poor ergonomics, long working hours and digital strain are among the leading causes of workplace disability worldwide.
She stated that these are not 'minor aches', but conditions that reduce productivity and increase healthcare costs.
At the local level, the Nigerian Ministry of Labour and Employment has reported a rise in workplace-related health complaints, including back pain among office workers and fatigue in industrial sectors.
"Many Nigerians work from improvised home desks with no ergonomic furniture," she observed. "Add screen glare, long hours and stress, and you have a recipe for chronic illness."
Her perspective comes at a time when Nigeria debates the Occupational Safety, Health and Wellbeing Bill (2025). If passed, the bill would mandate stricter ergonomic standards, mental health support and comprehensive workplace risk assessments.
The Federal Ministry of Labour has already signaled support, recognising the link between employee wellbeing and national productivity.
Quoting ergonomics expert, Professor Alan Hedge, Amajuoyi noted that "good ergonomics is good economics."