Lagos Safety Commission Rallies Stakeholders on Strengthening Safety Culture and Emergency Preparedness

 

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Safety Commission has called for renewed collaboration among safety practitioners, regulators, and the private sector to strengthen safety culture and improve emergency preparedness across the state.

This was the thrust of a one-day Stakeholders’ Forum on Safety and Emergency Response held on Tuesday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference Centre, Ikeja, with the theme: “Strengthening Safety Culture and Emergency Preparedness Among Safety Practitioners in Lagos.”

Declaring the forum open on behalf of the Director-General of the Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Dr. (Mrs.) Adenike Akindele, emphasized that safety remains everyone’s responsibility and a shared value that must underpin all human, industrial, and environmental activities in the state.

Mojola, in his welcome address delivered by Dr. Akindele, described the forum as “a strategic platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and strengthening partnerships between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and community actors.”

He noted that Lagos, as a fast-growing megacity, faces peculiar challenges arising from urbanization, industrial expansion, and increasing population density, stressing that safety and emergency preparedness must therefore remain top priorities.

“The true success of our collective efforts depends on how effectively we cultivate a sustainable safety culture built on awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement,” Mojola said.

“Together, we can ensure that safety standards are not only enforced but embraced as a way of life.”

The Director-General highlighted the Commission’s ongoing reforms in safety audits, risk management advocacy, and proactive emergency response measures, affirming the state government’s commitment to creating a safer, more resilient Lagos.

He urged participants to develop practical strategies that would deepen preparedness for emergencies, strengthen institutional capacity, and equip safety practitioners with tools for effective crisis response.

Delivering a paper titled “Emerging Trends in Leadership and Collaboration,” international leadership and training expert Mr. Olanrewaju Akinnuoye emphasized the importance of accurate data in decision-making, warning against the mishandling of information in safety management.

 “Without credible data, we cannot make informed decisions,” Akinnuoye noted. “We must also strengthen safety culture and emergency preparedness as integral components of leadership and collaboration.”

In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Group Chief HSSE & Sustainability, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. James Adenuga, by Diseye Oba, the organisation commended the Lagos State Safety Commission for its visionary leadership in promoting collaboration, innovation, and accountability in safety management.

Oba stressed that safety is not merely a regulatory requirement but a shared value and a cornerstone of sustainable development.

 “Across the Dangote Group, safety is embedded in our DNA—it is not just what we do; it is who we are,” he said.

“We continue to invest in safety management systems, continuous training, and digital tools that enhance real-time hazard identification and risk mitigation.”

He further urged stakeholders to focus on collaboration, innovation, and empowerment as the three pillars that must guide the collective pursuit of safety excellence, noting that technology, from AI-powered monitoring to predictive analytics, is reshaping the future of risk management.

“A safe workplace is one where every voice is heard and every concern is addressed,” Oba added.

The forum brought together top government officials, safety professionals, captains of industry, and representatives of the organised private sector. Participants pledged to work with the Commission in building a safer and more resilient Lagos through shared responsibility, innovation, and continuous learning.