Cynthia Ozobu: Championing Workplace Health, Safety and Industrial Hygiene Across Africa
In an era where workplace health, safety, and industrial hygiene are paramount, one name stands out as a beacon of progress and transformation—Cynthia Obianuju Ozobu. With over 10 years of experience in Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), and industrial hygiene, Ozobu has established herself as a formidable force in risk management and workplace health and safety across multiple industries, including petroleum refining, petrochemicals, cement manufacturing, and healthcare.
Her impact has been revolutionary, influencing policy, protecting lives, and fostering sustainable work environments. Ozobu’s unwavering commitment to workplace health, safety, and industrial hygiene has placed her at the forefront of global conversations, making her a transformative figure in the field.
From an early stage in her career, Cynthia Ozobu demonstrated an unrelenting commitment to occupational health and safety. She earned a Master of Science in Occupational Safety, Health & Environmental Management from the University of South Wales – UK, and the prestigious Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) Credentialing from BGC-USA, equipping her with cutting-edge knowledge in workplace risk management.
Her background in Medical Laboratory Science provided her with a keen understanding of occupational exposures, which she leveraged to champion evidence-based solutions in industrial workplaces where she has embarked on a mission to change the status quo in industrial hygiene. Her expertise has since evolved into a multidisciplinary approach that combines industrial hygiene, occupational safety, and environmental health sciences. This has enabled her to address with precision, complex workplace hazards, ensuring that companies implement sustainable, long-term health and safety measures beyond compliance.
As the Group Lead, Occupational Health, Safety, and Hygiene Specialist at Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc., Ozobu has been instrumental in driving change. Ozobu has played a critical role in analyzing and implementing investors’ EHS requirements thus, securing investors’ confidence in EHS Compliance that directly influenced the $700 million investment in the company’s Sugar Backward Integration Projects (BIP). Her expertise in occupational health risk assessments, exposure monitoring, and regulatory compliance has safeguarded thousands of workers from harmful industrial hazards.
Ozobu’s tenure at Dangote Industries Limited as the Group Occupational Health, Safety & Hygiene Specialist solidified her reputation as an industry leader. Her contributions led to a 40% reduction in occupational diseases and illnesses across the subsidiaries.
Her leadership in conducting health risk assessments and her strategic oversight in standardizing industrial hygiene programs and implementation of exposure monitoring surveys and compliance with global health and safety standards at Dangote Fertilizer, Refinery, and Petrochemical plants resulted in a 52% improvement in workplace safety and health hazard management.
In addition, her meticulous approach to investor compliance enabled the company to maintain key financial contracts with top global institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the African Development Bank.
Her ability to bridge the gap between corporate profitability and worker health and safety has set a precedent for how industries can balance economic growth with ethical responsibility.
Breaking Barriers in Industrial Hygiene
Despite significant advancements in workplace health and safety, systemic biases in occupational hygiene remain prevalent—whether in risk prioritization, resource allocation, or the representation of certain worker demographics. Historically, industrial hygiene programs have often overlooked the specific needs of women, minority groups, and those in lower-income job categories.
Cynthia Ozobu has been a vocal advocate against such disparity, emphasizing the need for inclusive health risk assessment and workplace safety programs. Her research on chemicals in plastics and the role of industrial hygiene programs in the circular economy have highlighted the impacts of chemical reprotoxins on female workers, a subject often marginalized in industrial hygiene discussions.
By advocating for more inclusive health risk assessments and workplace safety programs, she has ensured that protective measures cater to all demographics, not just the dominant workforce groups. Her commitment to evidence-based interventions has paved the way for organizations to address hidden biases and adopt a more equitable approach to workplace health and safety.
Cynthia Ozobu’s influence is not confined to Africa – her expertise and initiatives have the potential to benefit workplaces in the United States significantly.
As occupational health risks continue to evolve, her evidence-based approach to industrial hygiene can enhance worker health and safety across various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare. Her focus on eliminating bias in occupational hygiene is particularly relevant in the U.S., where workplace safety disparities persist among minority workers, underrepresented groups, and women.
By implementing her inclusive industrial hygiene programs, American industries can better protect underrepresented groups, ensuring reasonable access to workplace health and safety resources. Furthermore, Ozobu’s experience in conducting large-scale health risk assessments and exposure monitoring can help U.S. organizations optimize their occupational safety strategies.
Her work with regulatory compliance in Africa translates seamlessly into the American regulatory landscape, reinforcing OSHA standards and improving industry-wide safety compliance.
As a Board member of the Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC – USA), Ozobu is already influencing policies on a global scale that shape workplace health and safety in the U.S. Her collaboration with international EHS organizations such as the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH – UK) and the National Recognition Committee of the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA), reiterates the significance of her influences on policies that protect workers worldwide. She serves on the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH – UK) Council, to ensure that workplace health and safety remains a top priority in global business strategies.
Beyond her corporate impacts, Ozobu is a respected thought leader in the global EHS community. She has been an active voice in international conferences, delivering groundbreaking research on the role of industrial hygiene in sustainable development. Her recent work on the effects of occupational exposure to chemical reprotoxins on female workers has sparked critical discussions in the industry.
Ozobu’s influence extends far beyond boardrooms and conference halls. She is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of EHS professionals and her passion for workplace health and safety is further highlighted by her dedication to professional mentoring.
Through her role as Lead Faculty for Occupational Hygiene at the QHSES Leadership Academy, she mentors young professionals, equipping them with the technical expertise, leadership skills, and knowledge needed to champion workplace health and safety in their respective industries.
Her mentorship extends to initiatives such as the Society of Women in Safety, Health & Environment in Africa (SOWSHE-A) and HSE Technical Skills Development (DOME), she actively supports young professionals in a field where women remain underrepresented. Her dedication to inclusivity and professional growth has earned her widespread recognition, including the prestigious President’s Commendation Award from IOSH-UK, cementing her status as one of the most influential Health and Safety professionals of her time.
Cynthia Ozobu’s unwavering passion for industrial hygiene, occupational health, and contributions are more than just professional achievements—they represent a fundamental shift in how industries approach workplace safety and industrial hygiene across Africa and can be replicated in the United States, and beyond.
Her ability to integrate scientific research, policy development, and real-world applications has confirmed her as a pioneer in the field.
As industries evolve and new workplace health hazards challenges emerge, the world needs visionary leaders like Cynthia Ozobu—professionals who are not only experts in their field but also deeply committed to protecting human lives. Through her relentless pursuit of health and safety excellence, she is redefining what it means to work in a world where every worker deserves to go home safe, healthy, and empowered.
With a legacy that spans continents, Cynthia Ozobu is not just shaping the future of occupational health and safety in Africa—she is influencing and making a global impact on workplace safety and industrial hygiene management.
