Lagos Safety Commission Shuts Down Chemical Factories, Shops in Ojota Over Safety Violations

The Lagos State Safety Commission has sealed several chemical factories and retail outlets in the Ojota area for breaching safety and environmental regulations.

In a statement released on Sunday, the commission’s Director-General, Lanre Mojola, said the affected operators violated provisions of the Lagos State Safety Commission Law of 2011.

Mojola explained that officials had earlier inspected the facilities and held multiple meetings with the chemical dealers. During a meeting on May 9, 2025, the operators signed an undertaking committing to implement key safety measures.

“At the meeting, they agreed to carry out a comprehensive safety audit of the market, hold workshops on hazard identification and risk assessment, provide serviced and accessible fire extinguishers in all shops, maintain an updated chemical inventory with expiry dates, and ensure full use of personal protective equipment,” the statement read.

However, Mojola noted that despite the expiration of the ultimatum, the dealers failed to comply with the agreed measures, leaving the commission no choice but to seal the facilities to protect lives and property.

He added that the commission has stepped up surveillance across the state to enforce safety standards in factories, markets, and other high-risk locations.

Just last month, the agency sealed a seven-storey building in Victoria Island for major safety breaches, including the absence of barricades around an active construction site.