By David Akinmola
THE Lagos State Government has moved to tighten safety compliance for high-rise buildings amid growing concerns over building failures, fire outbreaks and workplace accidents, unveiling a new stakeholder-driven framework aimed at strengthening facility management, protecting workers and reducing avoidable fatalities across the state.
The move comes amid increasing urbanisation and the proliferation of high-rise developments in Lagos, where experts have continued to stress the need for stricter adherence to safety standards, regular building maintenance and stronger enforcement of occupational health regulations to safeguard lives and property.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Lagos State Safety Commission with the theme, *”Safe Building, Protected Workforce,”* the Director-General of the Commission, Lanre Mojola, said safety considerations must become an integral part of building design, construction, operation and maintenance rather than being treated as an afterthought.
According to him, the rapid growth of Lagos as Africa’s commercial hub requires a more proactive approach to facility management and workplace safety to reduce the incidence of fire outbreaks, structural failures and workplace accidents.
Drawing from his experience in facility management, Mojola noted that many buildings deteriorate rapidly because safety and maintenance are often overlooked after construction.
“A building is a dynamic, living ecosystem. It must be tested daily through operational discipline, routine maintenance, electrical and mechanical inspections, vertical transportation checks, fire system assessments and emergency preparedness,” he said.
He warned that every avoidable fire outbreak, equipment failure or workplace incident serves as a reminder that safety is fundamental to protecting lives, preserving investments and sustaining public confidence.
According to him, global best practices require facility managers to possess basic safety training and certification, stressing that effective collaboration between safety professionals and facility managers remains critical to achieving safer work environments.
“We are concerned not only about the people occupying these buildings but also about those who maintain them. The cleaners, painters, technicians and contractors working at heights or carrying out high-risk assignments must be adequately protected from accidents and fatalities,” Mojola said.
Delivering the keynote address, Technical Adviser to the Lagos State Safety Commission, Seun Awojobi, said the forum was designed to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and develop practical solutions capable of improving construction safety, facility management and occupational health practices across the state.
He said the theme reflects the collective responsibility of government, developers, employers and safety professionals to ensure that every building meets acceptable safety standards and that every worker returns home safely at the end of each working day.
“For the Safety Commission, this is not merely a slogan. It is a commitment we have made to the people of Lagos, and we remain resolute in promoting safer workplaces and safer buildings through collaboration, inspections, public enlightenment, capacity building and consistent enforcement of safety regulations,” he said.
Awojobi observed that Lagos’ expanding skyline, growing industrial base and increasing number of high-rise developments present enormous economic opportunities but also demand stricter regulatory oversight to minimise risks associated with construction and facility operations.
Industry stakeholders at the forum also underscored the importance of integrating occupational safety into facility management practices to improve operational efficiency and protect lives.
One of the guest speakers, Lekan Akinwumi, stressed that effective collaboration between facility managers and safety professionals is essential to creating workplaces that are both productive and secure.
According to him, organisations must establish strong safety management systems that prioritise workers’ welfare while ensuring that buildings remain safe throughout their lifecycle.
Representatives of professional bodies, including 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 for stronger collaboration among regulators, facility managers, developers and professional bodies to improve safety compliance in the built environment.
They argued that sustainable urban development can only be achieved when organisations embrace globally accepted safety standards, ethical practices and regular compliance with statutory regulations.
The stakeholders also urged regulatory agencies to sustain rigorous inspections and enforcement to curb negligence that often leads to avoidable accidents, structural failures and loss of lives.
Experts at the forum further highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness in high-rise buildings, advocating regular fire drills, evacuation plans, equipment inspections and continuous safety training for facility personnel.
They maintained that proactive risk management, rather than reactive interventions after disasters occur, remains the most effective strategy for safeguarding lives, protecting investments and enhancing public confidence in the state’s built environment.
With Lagos continuing to witness rapid urban expansion and increasing investment in commercial and residential high-rise developments, stakeholders agreed that stronger collaboration among government agencies, developers, facility managers and safety professionals would be critical to building a resilient, safe and sustainable urban environment capable of supporting the state’s long-term economic growth.
