In the world of Health, Safety, Environment (HSE), and ESG, we often speak about “competence.” We define it as the right mix of skills, knowledge, and experience. But lately, a new, unsettling trend is emerging in our industry: the Professional Generalist-by-Greed.
I call them the “Professional Prostitutes” of the safety world. These are the practitioners who refuse to stay in their lane. They are process safety experts on Monday, environmental sustainability consultants on Wednesday, and fire engineering specialists by Friday. They chase every RFP, every seat at the table, and every spotlight regardless of whether they have the deep-seated expertise to be there.
Integrity is a Choice, Not a Limitation
Let me be clear: this isn’t about a lack of ambition; it’s about a commitment to excellence.
As the founder of HSENations and AfriSAFE the platform behind the continent’s most prestigious HSSES event and awards, and a media engine that generates millions of impressions, I am constantly tempted.
With our reach, I could easily pivot into training, dive into consultancy services, or launch a PPE line. The revenue potential is massive.
But I never will. Why? Because my niche is marketing communications, event management and professional recognition within the safety space. By staying in my lane, I protect the integrity of the industry. I don’t compete with the trainers; I celebrate them. I don’t rival the consultants; I give them a platform. This is why I am a firm believer in the power of referrals.
I know who the true masters are in process safety, hospitality safety, and fire engineering, and I am proud to point clients in their direction.
The Dilution of Excellence
When you need heart surgery, you don’t go to a dentist. When an aircraft engine fails, you don’t call a civil engineer. Why, then, has the safety industry become a playground for those who believe a weekend certification makes them an authority in a different niche?
The High Cost of “Being Everywhere”
The motivation is often ego or financial greed -the fear of missing out on a contract. But the “impact” these individuals think they are making is actually a calculated risk they are forcing onto their clients.
- Erosion of Trust:
When clients realize a “specialist” is actually Googling the answers during the break, the reputation of the entire HSE profession takes a hit, hence they look for an expatriate.
- The “Safety Gap”:
A generalist might see the obvious risks, but a niche specialist sees the hidden ones.
Staying in your lane isn’t about limiting your career; it’s about deepening your value.
- Industry Stagnation:
When “jacks-of-all-trades” dominate the space, true innovation in specialized fields like electrical safety or energy transition slows down because the stage is crowded by noise rather than depth.
Integrity is Knowing When to Say “No”
The mark of a true leader in HSSES is not how many fields they can work in, but having the integrity to say: “That is not my area of expertise, but let me recommend the professional who lives and breathes that niche.”
In Nigeria and across some African countries, we know the “Ogas” in certain fields. We know the titans of Fire safety, Process Safety, We know the voices of ESG. These people didn’t get there by being everywhere; they got there by being somewhere and becoming the best at it.
A Call to Accountability
I’ve made my choice to stay in my lane for the sake of the industry, have you?
Leading the Way: The African Safety Directory
We aren’t just talking about this issue; we are fixing it. At the AfriSAFE – Africa Safety Congress 2026 in Ghana, we will be continuing this vital conversation.
Furthermore, in the next few months, we will be launching the African Safety Directory. This will be a definitive, online resource listing verified, core professionals across their specific specialties.
We are launching a massive campaign and giving this directory total publicity across all social media platforms to ensure that when a company needs a competent expert, they know exactly where to go.
Our goal is simple: to ensure visibility for those who have actually put in the work to become specialists.
Want to be part of the solution?
If you want to register your interest or be listed among the core professionals in this directory, please reach out to HSENations Africa today. Let’s build an industry where expertise is respected and safety is never compromised by greed.
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