The Lagos State Government has called on facility managers, developers and safety professionals to prioritise safety in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of high-rise buildings to reduce workplace accidents and structural risks.
The appeal was made during a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Lagos State Safety Commission, themed “Safe Building, Protected Workforce,” which brought together industry regulators and safety experts to promote collaboration and improve compliance with safety regulations.
Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, said safety should be integrated into building projects from the design stage rather than treated as an afterthought. He warned that many buildings deteriorate quickly due to poor maintenance and inadequate operational systems.
Mojola described buildings as “dynamic living ecosystems” that require regular maintenance, electrical and mechanical inspections, fire safety assessments, and routine checks of elevators and other critical infrastructure.
He also advocated mandatory safety training and certification for facility managers, stressing the importance of protecting workers involved in high-risk tasks such as painting, cleaning, rooftop maintenance and scaffolding operations.
Technical Adviser to the Commission, Seun Awojobi, said Lagos’ rapid urbanisation and increasing number of high-rise developments make stricter safety compliance essential. He added that the commission would continue promoting a proactive safety culture through inspections, public awareness, stakeholder engagement, capacity building and enforcement of safety regulations.
Safety consultant Lekan Akinwumi highlighted the need for close collaboration between facility managers and safety professionals, while leaders of key professional bodies also stressed ethical practice, regulatory compliance and coordinated efforts to improve safety standards across Nigeria’s built environment.
Participants at the forum also discussed emergency preparedness, disaster prevention and ways to strengthen safety management systems in high-rise buildings throughout Lagos.
