Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing occupational safety and health, describing it as a cornerstone for economic growth and nation-building.
Speaking at the 3rd Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Conference held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, the governor said the state would continue to invest in policies and technologies that safeguard lives and promote a culture of safety across all sectors.
The conference, themed “Occupational Safety and Health as a Catalyst for Nation Building,” also witnessed the official launch of the Safety First Campaign and the Occupational Safety Cadre, the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the initiative marked a historic step in Lagos’ drive toward institutionalizing workplace safety as a professional career path rather than an ad-hoc responsibility.
“A government that aspires to prosperity must first safeguard the lives of its people. Workers deserve to leave home with dignity, arrive at the workplace safely, and return to their families in the same condition, free of injury and free of harm,” he said.
Highlighting some of the state’s achievements, the governor noted that over 12,000 facilities — including hotels, lounges, and restaurants — have been registered under the LASG Safety Registration Platform, reflecting Lagos’ proactive approach to compliance and accountability.
He also cited innovations such as the use of drones, safety apps, and body cameras with thermal functionalities to enhance real-time hazard reporting, surveillance, and enforcement.
“These tools are deliberate investments in predictive governance,” he said. “They allow us to identify safety issues as they emerge and act proactively rather than reactively.”
The governor commended the Lagos State Safety Commission for its continuous interventions across key sectors — including construction, manufacturing, and hospitality — which have led to a reduction in workplace incidents.
He, however, stressed that safety was a shared responsibility.
“The safety of Lagos is the responsibility of every stakeholder — public institutions, private enterprises, civil society, academia, and the ordinary citizen,” he emphasized. “Together, we must nurture a culture where cutting corners is no longer tolerated.”
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, commended the Lagos State Safety Commission for its proactive efforts, describing safety as an essential driver for growth.
She disclosed that the Federal Government would soon declare a state of emergency on occupational safety and health, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his address, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, said the government remained committed to making Lagos a 21st-century economy anchored on health and safety.
The Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, added that the agency had continued to train organizations on safety practices to prevent disasters and workplace hazards.
The highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Bank of Industry to promote workplace safety under the Safety First initiative.