Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property through innovative and sustainable safety measures.
EpeInsights reports that the Governor made this declaration on Tuesday during the third edition of the Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Conference (LASOSH) held in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, themed “Safety First: Advancing Workplace and Public Safety Through Innovation”, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the formal inauguration of the state’s Occupational Safety Cadre, describing it as the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. He also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to further strengthen safety initiatives across Lagos.
According to the Governor, the newly established cadre marks a historic shift in public service operations positioning safety as a professional discipline with defined career pathways, structured expertise, and long-term continuity.
“This groundbreaking cadre is not just a bureaucratic innovation; it is a bold declaration that Lagos is setting new standards in public service professionalism,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“For the first time, safety will not be treated as an ad-hoc responsibility but as a recognised career path. This step ensures that generations of Lagosians benefit from a professional corps dedicated solely to occupational safety and health.”
He emphasized that the future of safety management lies in technology and data-driven governance, noting that Lagos has already begun deploying innovative tools to enhance monitoring and response.
These include a real-time safety reporting mobile application, drones for aerial surveillance of high-risk zones, and body cameras with thermal functionalities for compliance enforcement and emergency response.
“These tools are deliberate investments in predictive governance,” he said.
“They allow us to identify safety issues as they emerge, study trends, and act proactively rather than reactively. This is how Lagos is setting the pace using innovation not only to secure today but to anticipate tomorrow.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu, however, called for collective responsibility, urging public institutions, private enterprises, civil society groups, academia, and residents to adopt a culture of safety consciousness.
“The safety of Lagos is the responsibility of every stakeholder. We must nurture a culture where cutting corners is no longer tolerated, where safety is not seen as a cost but as an investment in sustainability and human dignity,” he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, reiterated that occupational and public safety remain top priorities for the Sanwo-Olu administration.
“Every Lagosian deserves to live, work, and move freely without fear,” Oyerinde said.
“This conference provides a platform for thought leaders, practitioners, and policy makers to exchange ideas, review progress, and chart new pathways for safer workplaces and communities.”
The Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Mr. Lanre Mojola, also highlighted the state’s progress in strengthening safety compliance.
He noted that while enforcement actions are decreasing, compliance levels across the state have significantly increased due to continuous sensitization and regulatory improvements.
“We’re seeing more facilities complying voluntarily,” Mojola said.
“However, we continue to enforce critical areas such as Vertical Transportation Equipment safety, construction safety, and the handling of dangerous goods.”
He revealed that Lagos State recently introduced 28 new Occupational Safety Officers part of the newly created safety cadre to improve on-site inspections and compliance monitoring.
He added that the Commission is leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict safety challenges before they occur, reinforcing the state’s proactive approach to risk management.
“Over 20,000 facilities have been registered with GPIS and verified through pictorial evidence,” Mojola said.
“We are not just enforcing compliance; we are building a predictive, technology-driven safety culture.”
The 2025 LASOSH Conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, safety professionals and stakeholders from across Nigeria and beyond, all united in the goal of advancing occupational and public safety standards for a greater Lagos.
