Role of Occupational Health Professionals in Corporate Wellness Programs in Selected Companies in Kano State

The professional contribution of occupational health practitioners to corporate wellness program design and implementation is a dimension of practice that warrants greater scrutiny in the Nigerian industrial context. This study examined the role, scope, and influence of occupational health professionals in corporate wellness programs in selected large companies in Kano State, North West Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, with 40 occupational health officers, HR managers, and wellness program coordinators from 20 companies across Bompai and Sharada industrial areas participating through structured questionnaires and interviews. Results showed that occupational health professionals had a significant leadership role in wellness programs in only 27.5 percent of companies, with HR departments predominantly driving program design in others. Wellness programs with occupational health leadership demonstrated broader health risk assessment coverage, stronger epidemiological documentation, and higher employee engagement rates. Evidence-based program design was practiced by 62.5 percent of occupational health-led programs versus 21.4 percent of HR-led programs. Key barriers to expanded occupational health professional engagement included limited recognition of the profession, competition with general HR functions, and inadequate staffing levels. The study recommends formal recognition of occupational health professionals as the primary architects of corporate wellness programs in Nigerian industry, supported by competency frameworks and professional development resources from the Occupational Health Practitioners Association of Nigeria. Keywords: occupational health professionals, corporate wellness, program management, health leadership, Kano State.