Reported by: Agande Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
LAGOS, Nigeria — Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has raised the bar for public and occupational safety in Lagos State by inaugurating the Safety First Campaign and launching the Occupational Safety Cadre, the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Speaking at the third Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Conference (LASOSH), Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the new cadre marks a historic step in institutionalizing safety as a professional career path in the state.
“This groundbreaking cadre is not just a bureaucratic innovation; it is a bold declaration that Lagos is setting new standards in public service professionalism,” the Governor said.
“For the first time, safety will not be treated as an ad-hoc responsibility but as a recognised career path with structure, expertise, and continuity.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to further strengthen safety initiatives across Lagos. Highlighting the role of technology in enhancing safety, he detailed the deployment of:
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A safety application enabling citizens to report hazards in real time.
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Drones for aerial surveillance of high-risk zones.
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Body cameras with thermal functionalities for compliance monitoring and emergency response.
“These tools are deliberate investments in predictive governance, allowing us to identify safety issues proactively and act before accidents occur,” the Governor stated.
“However, the government cannot do it alone. Safety is the responsibility of every stakeholder—public institutions, private enterprises, civil society, academia, and ordinary citizens.”
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, stressed that occupational and public safety remains a top priority, noting that Lagosians deserve to live, work, and move freely without fear. He described LASOSH as a platform for thought leaders, safety practitioners, policy makers, and industry players to exchange ideas and chart pathways for safer workplaces and communities.
Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Lanre Mojola, highlighted ongoing regulatory and enforcement efforts, including inspections of vertical transportation equipment, swimming pools, construction sites, and the handling of dangerous goods at the port. He announced the introduction of 28 new Occupational Safety Officers, noting that Lagos intends to expand the cadre further.
“We are leveraging AI to predict issues before they happen and have already registered over 20,000 facilities with pictorial evidence via GPIS,” Mojola said.
The launch of the Safety First Campaign and the Occupational Safety Cadre signals Lagos State’s commitment to innovative, proactive, and professional approaches to safeguarding lives and property.
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