“ESG Is No Longer Optional. It Is the Future of Industrial Competitiveness” – Joseph Olufemi Fasinu

As global industries confront rising pressure to operate sustainably, responsibly, and transparently, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards have moved from optional corporate ideals to core determinants of competitiveness, investment eligibility, and long-term viability.

In this extended THISDAY interview, Joseph Fasinu, an internationally experienced Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) expert, Certified Safety Professional, and occupational safety researcher, offers a comprehensive perspective on ESG, its intersection with industrial safety systems, and its implications for Nigeria’s economic future and global positioning.

Fasinu’s professional trajectory spans Nigeria and the United States, where he has led complex safety programs across manufacturing and high-risk industrial environments, implemented data-driven safety systems, and delivered measurable reductions in workplace incidents.

His early prominence emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he highlighted critical deficiencies in workplace preparedness for biological hazards. That experience later informed his doctoral research in Occupational Safety and Health, completed in December 2023, which focused on automated, real-time detection of PPE violations using advanced technologies.

Today, his work sits at the intersection of industrial safety, data analytics, and ESG governance, positioning him among a new generation of experts shaping how organizations manage risk in a rapidly evolving global economy.

ESG is often discussed in broad terms. From a technical standpoint, how should industry leaders truly understand ESG today?

Fasinu:

ESG should be understood as an integrated risk management and value creation framework rather than a compliance checklist. At its core, ESG evaluates how well an organization anticipates, manages, and mitigates risks that could affect its long-term sustainability.

The environmental component addresses how companies manage emissions, waste, and ecological impact. The social component focuses heavily on worker safety, labor practices, and community impact. Governance ensures that systems of accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership are in place.

What is important today is that ESG has moved from theory into quantifiable metrics. Investors, regulators, and stakeholders now expect organizations to demonstrate measurable performance in these areas, not just policies, but outcomes.

You emphasize that EHS sits at the center of ESG. Can you explain that relationship in more depth?

Fasinu:

Absolutely. EHS is essentially the operational engine of ESG, particularly for industrial organizations.

The Environmental (E) pillar relies on how effectively an organization manages emissions, waste streams, and environmental compliance.

The Social (S) pillar is rooted in worker and population safety and health.

The Governance (G) pillar ensures accountability and compliance.

Organizations investing in real-time monitoring and predictive analytics directly strengthen ESG performance.

In March 2024, you delivered a keynote at the Youniverse Business Summit in Rabat, Morocco, on “The Impact of ESG Factors on Investment Decisions.” How did that global engagement influence your perspective on ESG as a driver of industrial competitiveness, particularly in relation to EHS systems and emerging safety technologies?

Fasinu:

At the Youniverse Business Summit in Rabat in March 2024, one message was clear – ESG is shifting from a reporting framework to a performance system. The key question from investors was: Can you measure and manage risk in real time?

That is where EHS becomes critical. ESG is executed on the shop floor through environmental controls, exposure management, incident prevention, and compliance systems – all core EHS functions. What investors now assess are leading indicators such as incident trends, compliance integrity, and operational resilience.

Organizations that treat EHS as a data-driven system – supported by continuous monitoring, audits, and performance analytics – can quantify risk, demonstrate control effectiveness, and maintain operational continuity. This directly reduces liability and strengthens investor confidence.

In essence: ESG sets the expectation, EHS delivers the execution, and competitiveness is the outcome.

Your doctoral research introduced real-time PPE detection systems. Can you explain the technical significance of that work?

Fasinu:

My research addressed a critical gap within traditional safety systems – the lack of real-time visibility into PPE compliance. By integrating computer vision and machine learning, I developed a system capable of continuously monitoring work environments and detecting PPE violations as they occur.

Traditional systems are largely reactive and depend heavily on human intervention, which introduces variability and error. My approach leverages computer vision and machine learning with real-time monitoring to detect PPE violations instantly.

This enables immediate intervention, prevention of incidents, and continuous performance tracking, transforming safety into a measurable ESG system.

The technical significance lies in enabling immediate, data-driven intervention, transforming PPE compliance from a periodic, observation-based activity into a continuous and measurable safety control.

How can these findings be applied in Nigeria’s industrial sectors?

Fasinu:

Nigeria’s industrial sectors face a dual reality – persistent enforcement gaps alongside significant opportunities for transformation. A key challenge is the limited number of EHS professionals relative to the scale and complexity of industrial operations, which constrains effective monitoring and enforcement of PPE compliance across many workplaces.

To address this, the deployment of automated PPE violation detection technologies presents a practical and scalable solution. By enabling real-time monitoring, consistent enforcement, and data-driven insights, these systems can significantly enhance compliance, reduce human error, and strengthen overall safety performance. In essence, technology can serve as a force multiplier – bridging resource gaps while advancing a more proactive and sustainable safety culture across Nigeria and the broader African industrial landscape.

Technology-driven safety systems can reduce injuries, improve compliance, and enhance efficiency across manufacturing, oil & gas, and construction sectors.

How does ESG influence foreign direct investment (FDI)?

Fasinu:

ESG is now a primary filter for global capital. Strong ESG performance attracts investors, reduces risk perception, and improves Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets.

Final message?

Fasinu:

ESG is a strategic necessity, not a choice. At the operational level, it is driven by strong Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) systems – where environmental stewardship, worker protection, and governance controls are executed and measured.

Organizations that embed EHS into their ESG strategy move beyond compliance to proactive, data-driven risk management – improving safety outcomes, ensuring regulatory alignment, and strengthening investor and stakeholder confidence.

Ultimately, those who integrate ESG through disciplined EHS practices will not only reduce risk but position themselves as leaders in global industrial competitiveness.