By Atlantic Reports

The Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) has called for reasonable work schedules, adequate rest and supportive workplaces to protect workers’ mental wellbeing in Nigeria’s construction industry.

At the close of the association’s 2026 Annual National Seminar in Abuja on Saturday, its National President, Dr Ayodeji Adeyemo, said demanding work, rising living costs and growing responsibilities were placing employees under pressure.

The seminar, themed “Mental Health Challenges and Stress Management Strategies in the Nigerian Construction Industry”, focused on managing workplace stress, protecting family relationships and improving communication.

Adeyemo said the programme aimed to equip workers with practical skills to cope with these pressures.

“The ability to manage stress is essential not only for workers’ personal well-being but also for maintaining harmonious relationships at home and improving performance at work,” he said.

He also raised concerns about job losses, saying companies were dismissing some association members. He did not provide figures or identify the companies involved.

Employers urged to allow time for recovery

Adeyemo encouraged workers to prioritise their health, get sufficient rest and engage employers constructively when workloads became excessive.

He urged construction company managements to adopt reasonable schedules and give employees enough time to recover from demanding work.

The association’s National Deputy President, Mr Cyprian Ighalo, said the seminar offered workers an opportunity to reflect on their health, financial pressures and professional responsibilities.

He called for policies that protected employees’ welfare, strengthened the construction sector and encouraged companies to retain qualified personnel.

Improved welfare, he said, would benefit workers and their families while supporting the industry’s contribution to employment and infrastructure development.

Women highlight overlapping responsibilities

CCESSA’s National Financial Secretary, Florence Ogundare, drew attention to the pressures facing women who combined construction careers with domestic and family responsibilities.

She encouraged women to prioritise their health, take scheduled breaks and speak up about health concerns.

Ogundare also urged workers to maintain consistent sleep routines and reduce late-night social media use, presenting adequate rest as an important part of recovery.

Her remarks highlighted the need to consider responsibilities beyond the workplace when addressing employees’ wellbeing.

Early support and respectful communication

Mrs Temilola Olagunju, a British-Nigerian senior psychiatric and mental health nurse, encouraged participants to develop healthy coping habits and maintain supportive relationships.

She identified sleep, leisure, trusted relationships and early recognition of emotional distress as important elements of mental wellness. Workers experiencing overwhelming stress should seek appropriate support before their difficulties worsened, she said.

Stephen Ince, a UK-based mental health specialist, encouraged employees to communicate concerns early and seek professional assistance when necessary.

He also urged employers to create workplaces where mental health concerns could be discussed without stigma.

Mr Uyi-Aivinhyenyo Osagie, a labour officer and public-sector reform expert, said self-awareness, empathy, emotional control and respectful communication could help workers manage disagreements.

He linked stronger interpersonal relationships to better teamwork, cooperation and leadership in construction and engineering workplaces.

Management and human development expert Kayode Onileowo advised workers facing tight deadlines to plan carefully, anticipate difficulties and communicate regularly with colleagues.

The seminar placed responsibility on both employees and employers: workers were encouraged to seek support and communicate their concerns, while companies were urged to address workloads, rest and workplace culture.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.