Lagos Seals Chemical Factories, Shops at Ojota over Safety Concerns
The Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC) has sealed a number of chemical factories and shops in the Ojota area of Lagos for failure to adhere to safety and environmental regulations.
The enforcement operation, carried out over the weekend by the LSC, was led by the Director-General, Mr. Lanre Mojola, and aligns with the provisions of the Lagos State Safety Commission Law of 2011.
Mojola explained that the shutdown became necessary because the operators had repeatedly ignored warnings and failed to comply even after a grace period expired.
Prior to the enforcement action, the Commission conducted inspections and held meetings with the chemical dealers’ executives, who, on May 9, 2025, signed a letter of undertaking.
This letter committed them to implementing crucial safety protocols, which included conducting a comprehensive safety audit, organizing workshops for hazard identification and risk assessment, equipping their shops with functional fire extinguishers, and maintaining an updated inventory of chemicals with expiry dates.
Additional mandatory measures agreed upon were the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), installation of clear safety signage and labels, provision of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and the development of disaster management and business continuity plans.
Mojola stated that the dealers’ failure to honor these agreements, despite the expiration of the ultimatum, left the Commission with “no option but to seal the facilities to safeguard lives and property.”
The premises will remain closed until the operators achieve full compliance with the required safety standards, as the Commission continues to caution all manufacturers and business owners in Lagos to adopt proactive safety practices.
Mojola stated that the dealers’ failure to honor these agreements, despite the expiration of the ultimatum, left the Commission with “no option but to seal the facilities to safeguard lives and property.”
The premises will remain closed until the operators achieve full compliance with the required safety standards, as the Commission continues to caution all manufacturers and business owners in Lagos to adopt proactive safety practices.
