NISCN honours Mojola, renews call for stronger workplace safety compliance - The Guardian Nigeria News
The National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) has renewed its call for stronger workplace safety regulation and compliance across Nigeria’s formal and informal sectors.
The council made the call while conferring the Senior Safety Advocate (SSA) title on the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, in recognition of his contributions to occupational health, safety and environmental (HSE) standards.
Mojola became the first recipient of the SSA designation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The recognition was presented by NISCN National President, John Obajimi, who commended his leadership in safety regulation, advocacy and institutional development.
For workers in construction sites, factories, gas plants, markets and other high-risk environments, a moment of carelessness or weak safety enforcement can have life-changing consequences.
In a letter conveying the honour, the council described Mojola’s contributions as reflecting “visionary leadership, outstanding dedication and impactful contributions” to the advancement of HSE standards.
The recognition comes at a time when safety concerns remain a major issue in workplaces and public spaces, particularly in sectors where inadequate compliance can expose workers, businesses and communities to preventable accidents.
Under Mojola, the Lagos State Safety Commission has adopted the 4Es framework — Evaluation, Education, Engagement and Enforcement — to strengthen safety management across the state.
The approach focuses on identifying risks, educating stakeholders, engaging communities and enforcing safety requirements across both the formal and informal economy.
The commission has also intensified interventions in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector, targeting gas retailers, cylinder handlers and plant operators through training, monitoring and compliance checks aimed at reducing the risks of explosions and fires.
Its safety interventions extend to construction sites, industrial facilities, schools, event venues and other high-risk establishments, where inspections and risk assessments are used to identify hazards and encourage compliance with safety requirements.
Beyond conventional workplaces, the commission has taken safety awareness campaigns to artisans, market operators, mechanics, transport workers and construction workers, recognising that occupational safety must also reach the informal sector where many Nigerians earn their livelihoods.
The commission’s interventions also gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it conducted safety assessments and audits of businesses, schools, religious institutions and hospitality establishments before they were allowed to reopen.
Safety protocols and registration requirements were introduced for establishments seeking approval to resume operations, while other interventions have focused on emergency preparedness, fire drills, crowd management, hygiene and public safety at events and food establishments.
For NISCN, the recognition of Mojola underscores the need for safety to become a routine part of how workplaces and businesses operate, rather than a response only after accidents occur.
It also highlights the importance of sustained regulation, stakeholder education, risk assessment and enforcement in reducing avoidable workplace incidents and protecting workers and members of the public.
