Lagos moves to curb high-rise building accidents, strengthen safety compliance

The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to prevent accidents and fatalities in high-rise buildings by engaging facility managers, safety professionals and industry stakeholders on stricter safety standards and compliance across the state’s built environment.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Lagos State Safety Commission, is aimed at promoting collaboration among stakeholders to improve safety practices, strengthen facility management and ensure the protection of workers in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum themed “Safe Building, Protected Workforce,” the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, stressed that safety must be integrated into every stage of a building’s lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and maintenance.

Drawing from his experience in facility management, Mojola lamented the rapid deterioration of many buildings due to poor maintenance and inadequate attention to safety.

“A building is a dynamic, living ecosystem that must be tested every day through operational discipline, routine maintenance, electrical and mechanical inspections, elevator checks, fire safety systems and emergency preparedness,” he said.

According to him, every building failure, fire outbreak and workplace accident serves as a reminder that safety should never be treated as an afterthought.

“Safety is the foundation that protects lives, preserves assets and sustains public confidence,” Mojola added.

He also called for mandatory safety training and certification for facility managers, saying global best practices demand that professionals managing buildings possess strong safety knowledge to reduce workplace accidents.

Mojola noted that workers carrying out high-risk duties, including painters, cleaners, rooftop technicians and contractors, must be adequately protected from injuries and fatalities through strict adherence to safety procedures.

Delivering the keynote address, the Technical Adviser to the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Seun Awojobi, said the forum was designed to develop practical solutions that would improve construction safety, occupational health and facility management across Lagos.

He said the government’s commitment goes beyond regulation, stressing that every worker deserves to return home safely after each day’s work.

“As Lagos continues to expand with more skyscrapers, industries and commercial developments, maintaining the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance has become more critical than ever,” Awojobi said.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to promoting a proactive safety culture through regular inspections, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, public enlightenment and strict enforcement of safety regulations.

Experts at the forum also underscored the need for stronger collaboration between facility managers and safety professionals to reduce risks in workplaces and high-rise buildings.

Guest speaker Mr. Lekan Akinwumi described collaboration as the cornerstone of workplace safety, urging organisations to integrate occupational safety with effective facility management.

Similarly, leaders of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), the Association of Facility Management Practitioners of Nigeria (AFMPN) and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) called on industry players to embrace global best practices, uphold ethical standards and comply fully with safety regulations.

The stakeholders also highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness, risk management and disaster prevention as Lagos continues to witness rapid urban development and a growing number of high-rise buildings.